How best to reduce supplemental light in spring

[Susan49]

I haven't found the answer to this question anywhere, so am hoping some of the experts here will have some words of wisdom. This past winter we've added supplemental light as we get only 8-9 hours of daylight at the winter solstice. We gradually extended the day length starting in August, by having a low wattage bulb come on in the early morning, and every couple of weeks having it come on a bit earlier, with a goal of maintaining approx 14 hours of light per day as the natural day length became shorter.

This worked really well over the winter, and for the past couple of months, since probably the end of January, we've been gradually going the other way, ie having the light come on later in the morning as the days get longer.

My question is, is there a "right" way to increase light in the spring? Or do you simply reverse as we're doing now? I also wonder if egg production can be expected to vary at all when reducing supplemental light in spring.

Our hens laid well all winter, but after adding a couple of batches of new birds to our flock, an unexpected late snowfall, and some construction work around the coop, production isn't what I'd expect for the number of laying hens we now have. I'm aware that the construction and unseasonably cold weather may have affected production, but am also curious as to how reducing the supplemental light might affect egg laying as well.

Any thoughts?

 

[ChickenCurt]

I'd just do as you said and reduce timer as days lengthen. As for disturbances; some chickens get agitated and stop or slow down, give them a bit once things have calmed down.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Reduce by pushing down the buttons on your timer on the pm side. 15 minutes per week, starting on March 1. The days have lengthen now to just over 12 hours. They won't even notice those reduced times in the late afternoon as the sun is providing that time anyhow.
By May 1st, there's no need for any timer or light. Save your electric bill the expense.