For those of you who add light to extend daylight...

[harleyjo]

How do you do it? Do you extend it in the morning, at night or both? We do keep a small 15 watt light or so on all night. They sleep fine on their roosts and don't get up until daylight. What is the best way to do this?

 

[Judy]

It is usually added at night so they get a normal sunrise; at dark they are already asleep anyhow.

The 15 watts may already, in effect, be providing light day and night.

 

[woodmort]

I do it at both ends--6 am lights on/off at 9 then on again at 4 pm, off at 9--all DST. That gets them up before I let them out and, maybe, getting them laying plus they seem to like the light on when they come in at night before the settle down on the roost. Also allows me to make a visual check on everyone when I lock them in at night.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

We usually do a little of both. If you have to go to a job every day, I think it's handy to have the lights set up so that they're on at a convenient time for you to do your chores. I don't think my chickens care that much, either way.

 

[greenmulberry]

I extend it in the morning. I prefer that light end slowly in the evening, normal sunset, so that everyone can get settled.

I use compact fluorescent bulbs which take a while to get bright (especially when it is -5 outside).

 

[cow_girl]

how bright does the light have be?.. Ive got a solar light, but its not very bright... would that be enough to simulate daylight???

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
Might depend on how big an area you're trying to light. I use a 40w florescent for 12 X 12 coop but it is above the door between two rooms so the corners of one room are unlit. Birds don't seem to mind and gather in the light areas as well as the dark,