I've got a flock of 6 young hens, hatched in April and May. Two have started laying, and I think two more are really close.
I'm debating whether I should put an artificial light in the coop to stimulate egg production through the winter. I live in Wisconsin, and the days are already getting pretty short. I like the idea of having lots of eggs through the winter, but I've also heard that the extra light and extra egg laying can be stressfull for the birds.... I also wonder if the younger ones won't lay at all till spring if I don't give them extra light.
Any thoughts or opinions?
I'm debating whether I should put an artificial light in the coop to stimulate egg production through the winter. I live in Wisconsin, and the days are already getting pretty short. I like the idea of having lots of eggs through the winter, but I've also heard that the extra light and extra egg laying can be stressfull for the birds.... I also wonder if the younger ones won't lay at all till spring if I don't give them extra light.
Any thoughts or opinions?