heat lamp? or no?

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Temperature has nothing to do with numbers of eggs laid per day.

 

[Elizafern]

Since I have been keeping the heat lamp on I have been getting 6-7 eggs a day out of 8 hens. Where before I was only getting 3 if I was lucky. So thats kind of why I want to keep it on.

 

[CourtsCacklers]

Since I have been keeping the heat lamp on I have been getting 6-7 eggs a day out of 8 hens. Where before I was only getting 3 if I was lucky. So thats kind of why I want to keep it on.

I am convinced that the heat is what has kept my rate of lay steady in the below 0 temps...but there will be those that will argue that...

 

[chickencoop789]

I believe that what decreases lay in the winter is the less daylight hours. Heat lamps also give off light. This tricks the hens into thinking the days are longer and then they go back into their summer laying routine. The combined heat and light is what keeps them laying.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I believe that what decreases lay in the winter is the less daylight hours. Heat lamps also give off light. This tricks the hens into thinking the days are longer and then they go back into their summer laying routine. The combined heat and light is what keeps them laying.

Factors affecting laying behaviors have been extensively researched, to the point of scientists knowing the exact wavelengths of light that stimulate the pineal gland and cause chickens to lay eggs.

Folks, you can believe what you want, but there is a lot of science on this one that shows that it's the light, not the heat, that makes the difference. Also, if you have first-year hens, it's very common for pullets to lay through the winter their first year.

 

[CourtsCacklers]

I believe that what decreases lay in the winter is the less daylight hours. Heat lamps also give off light. This tricks the hens into thinking the days are longer and then they go back into their summer laying routine. The combined heat and light is what keeps them laying.

I have thought that maybe it was the "little additional light" that the red bulb gives off--but my heat lamp is not constant-- it is triggered to come on by a thermostat at 40 and turns itself off around 45... for days at a time it may not be on at all... and their rate of lay does not change. I don't disagree at all that daylight does affect the rate of lay... mine has slowed some and chickens don't ovulate at night. I am like a really obsessive chicken mama and I am out with my girls often and I peek in the window at them often too. Their roosting schedule hasn't really changed in correlation with the daylight (what I mean is they still go to roost 1/2 hour to 45 minutes before dark regardless of the heatlamp being on or not...)

I have read some threads that claim that if certain feeds are fed or supplements then the rate of lay will be steady.... I just know that what I am doing right now is working for me. I am not trying to increase lay-- I just want them to be happy and healthy :O)

You can read and read and read and study and study and study and study but in the end it is your own combination of care and whatever makes you feel right that you will continue to do!

 

[chickencoop789]

I have read some threads that claim that if certain feeds are fed or supplements then the rate of lay will be steady.... I just know that what I am doing right now is working for me. I am not trying to increase lay-- I just want them to be happy and healthy :O)

You can read and read and read and study and study and study and study but in the end it is your own combination of care and whatever makes you feel right that you will continue to do!

I agree completely

 

[Hokum Coco]

Deleted

 

[CourtsCacklers]

DELETED--

 

[Hokum Coco]

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