light for winter = more eggs?

[Casey207908]

Anyone recommend a setup for a light on a timer? I have 9 layers and with less daylight i am only getting about 3 eggs a day. How much daylight do they need to reach full laying potential?

 

[Alaskan]

I actually let my hens tapper off thier laying, and let them get to almost no eggs. I think it is healthier to let them have a break. Also, they often molt about this time of year, and when they molt they often stop laying.

About January they start to pick up laying again.

 

[barnaclebob]

There is no evidence to support claims of it being healthier to let chickens have the winter off. My chickens seem to lay when they have 14-15 hours of light. Some laying at 12-13 hours but its reduced with the year old hens.

 

[Faso]

I have heard and read the same. 15 hours a day is what they need to keep the cycle going. I installed a light last weekend and will be hooking it up to a timer tonight. I'm going to let it stay on from about 5:30pm-9pm. Some people do it in the morning but i think extending the day is better at the end of the day since it matches how long summer days are.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Not going to regurgitate what others have said, but here are two links for you. The first contains an interview from a poultry vet stating that there is no harm from supplementary lighting. The second discusses the proper lighting for various ages and stages of poultry life. It's science!
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/09/supplemental-light-in-coop-why-how.html
http://umaine.edu/publications/2227e/

 

[kwestley]

There is no good answer to this question! It all depends on individual. I'm personally raising chickens for eggs, so I do want to have some eggs during the winter if I can. I do love them, but they are not my pets! In a few years if their eggs production is getting lower and lower, then I will replace them with new chickens!!

I setup the light in the coop from 6 am to 9 am then 6pm to 9 pm. I have 8 chickens and so far I only get 4 eggs a day. I think only 5 of them are mature. No complaint since I don't need to worry about the extra eggs!