Lighting for layer pen

[calihawker]

Hi, I'm setting up some pens for coturnix egg layers and was hoping to get some feedback on lighting.
The pens will be 24"x48" stackable. I think I'm making 3 or 4 of them. The pens will be in a shed where there is not a lot of ambient light.
I know they need around16 hrs. a day to keep laying so can I just light the shed or should they maybe have a flourescent fixture above
each pen.
Any help is appreciated

Steve

 

[calihawker]

Anyone?

 

[Riffecreek]

Most of the time, just lighting in the building will be enough.. doesn't take a hole lot. But in some cases in darker corners, I have seen people put shiny flashing to reflect the light into the pens better..

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

If you do the walls with reflective material as Riffecreek said, then you could get away with just lighting the shed.


Good luck!

 

[Riffecreek]

btw, if your trying to get them to lay in the winter months, temps are just as important as light... 60+ is what I was told!

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

Quote:
Amen! What I do is put them in an enclosed (with ventilation) pen, with a fluorescent bulb for light. Their body heat is relatively high, so they heat the pen itself, which makes them lay like crazy! (If I had a heat lamp in there with them, they would overheat. That is how warm they get lol! )

 

[calihawker]

Thanks for the replies! Yes, the shed is going to be climate controlled, more concerned about the summer months
coming up. That's what I was hoping to hear, some reflective material and light the whole shed.
I have my first eggs arriving this week! The incubator is fired up and ready. Very excited! Can't wait!

Steve

 

[catsmithpuddin]

I have lit small rooms with thr rope Christmas lights and you can run them anywhere you want. Works pretty good!