How do you supply 14 hours light to ourdoor quails in winter time?

[laputa]

I don't see anywhere mentioned this, but do you have a timer to turn the light on and off around dawn or dusk? I know electricity is cheap for a single bulb, but I still don't see it justifies to turn it on 14 hours straight, considering I only have a few quails.

Also should I place the light inside the cage? Or in the front? On top?

Also what kind of bulb do you use? Are those energy saving power compact fluorescent light bulb bright enough?

Thanks!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Any type of bulb would work, just so they have light for 14 hours. Some people use timers, but there is still atleast 10 hours of light a day in the winter. If you are a late-night type of person, just turn it on around dusk, then turn it off before you go to bed. If you are an early-bird, turn it on in the early morning. A timer would save you from having to freeze your booty off to turn their light on

 

[Ironsun]

Hi,

Here in the Uk, we only get about 8 hours winter light, and to keep the birds laying I use a timer.

I set them for 6am-8am then they go off. at 4pm they go back on again until 10pm giving the birds a total of 16 hours.

I only use low energy bulbs, about 8 watts, so that cuts down the price.

They lay as good as they do in the summer months, fertility is about the same too.

Ironsun.

 

[laputa]

Thank you!
It's good to know the energy saving bulks works just as good.
I am leaning towards placing a bulb in the cage, right below the solid roof, to prevent rain getting to it, then turn it on in the early morning so my neighbors wouldn't be wondering about the glow in my yard at night.
I used to have an aquarium with bright blue light in my living room. It turns on every evening, when all the window blinds are already closed... We were called the "aliens" by a girl from across the street...

 

[tumra]

The way i have been providing light to my quails is by using solar garden lights. I put them adjacent to the breeding pens and they provide enough light to keep the quails laying all winter... and they cost nothing to run or maintain and they turn on automatically when the light levels are low.

 

[mrsengeseth]

Quote:
what a fantastic idea!!!

 

[monarc23]

i just this spring put solar lights up near the pens they do a decient job keeping predators away too

 

[mrsengeseth]

my indoor girls are laying fine, my outdoor girls still aren't laying, they MUST not be getting the correct amount of light, no matter where I move them in the yard, so I am definitely going to give this a try.

 

[laputa]

What type of solar lights you folks are using? Any recommendation for a particular brand and model?
I have one in the yard that costs some 30 bucks, it was a gift, but it is pretty dim orange light, probably not even matching moonlight! I doubt it will do a thing to the quails.

 

[tumra]

Something similar to this one

http://www.earthwhile.co.uk/SiteData/Default/Products/Images/XL/2_x_Venetian_Solar_Garden_Lights.jpg


I have put 2 near my beeder cage. This is a photo of my breeder setup

Although it is said that you should only provide 14 hours of light, the solar lights stay on all night. I have consistently been getting fertilised eggs from my breeders all winter.

This set up works well in sydney, though we dont get any snow in winter. Im not sure how this will work out where you live though