Is it *really* unnatural to add light?

[Momo]

Akane, I totally agree. No worries, Ella, I don't think you're a deluded lunatic and I'm pretty sure no one else does either. I very much appreciate your contribution to the discussion - without differing points of view we wouldn't be learning much, would we? I lost most of my flock a couple of years ago - to Marek's - so I have some idea how you're feeling, and I really sympathize. Because of that experience I'm extremely careful about diseases and have changed some of my practices. Please don't be offended when I suggest that your experience with cancer and peritonitis may have been due to a number of different factors along with lights - meaning, one flock for one season isn't a statistically significant sample. It could have been a genetic flaw in that particular batch of chicks (it seems that some strains are more prone to that sort of problem), exposure to a mutagen etc. I hope you will understand that I'm not trying to argue with you. I'm just talking about giving mine a little longer length of day in the deep dark of winter, which - from the chickens' point of view - is exactly the same as *no* added light in a slightly more southern latitude. If I run into problems I will certainly post to let others know.

 

[dickkenschickens]

I put a light out just yesterday w/ the intent of jump starting my 25 week old chickens that aren't laying yet but after reading these replies I'm thinking it would be best to let it happen naturally.

I'm getting eggs from my 2 golden comets but I'm still waiting on the RIR and the bard rocks.

 

[ninny]

I don't use lights never have probably never will. I free range and i open the door at dawn and close it at dusk. What they want to do is up to them. I get 6-8 eggs a day not much less then i was getting. I chose breeds that lay through the winter and are cold hardy. Unless the DH can be convinced that a house chicken is a really good idea. Then i may may get a serma.