Light for Layers

[river chicks]

Hi! I am new to this chicken stuff! I have 11 chicks, all supposed to start laying mid-October. I have read they need 14-15 hours of light to lay. If I reduce the time, do they stop laying altogether or just lay fewer eggs?
Thanks

 

[fldiver97]

Some breedsarebetter winterlayers than others.....Check Henderson's chicken breed chart for some ideas on which breeds, they are marked with a snowflake.....Temp and light have influence. Opinions vary amongst forum members as to adding a few hours of artificial light in the winter. Some feel the hens do better when given a bit of a break. Also, when chickens molt egg production drops because they need to 'invest' a lot of feed and energy into producing new feathers. Check out some threads in the 'Managing Your Flock', 'Egglaying' and 'Feeding and Watering' sections...
Hope that helps to get some starting info....Also try posting in one of those threads

 

[M To The Maxx]

 

[mullers3acers]

 

[b.hromada]

and

from S. Florida! Glad you joined us!

 

[texasgal]

A Big Texas size