Lighting for winter laying

[Chickenhappy8708]

Alright, you can do that, just don't expect them to live very long.

 

[aart]

Alright, you can do that, just don't expect them to live very long.

Just stop. You've expressed your opinion, now leave it alone.

 

[Mike_g]

The article linked by @aart suggests to me that laying thru winter, done properly, does not shorten lifespan.

 

[Percheron chick]

You don't need to add supplemental light this winter. In the second winter, I have Just put up a String of Christmas light to turn on before sunrise and allow them to go to bed with the setting sun. Adding a few pullets every summer will keep egg production up while allowing the older hens to molt and rest.

 

[Folly's place]

Here we also use a 40w bulb, in our 8'x 12' coop, and it does light the next coop and run sections a bit too. This year we MIGHT add another 40w light to the other 6'x 12' coop section. We too use LED bulbs, very inexpensive to run.
Be certain to manage anything electrical very carefully out there!!!
Mary

 

[Acre4Me]

We add light in winter. It is connected to a timer so it will be on/off per a set schedule. We have electric in the coop. It is a single bulb in a fixture on the wall. We have heritage breeds, which at best lay 4-6 eggs/week during high light summer time. So, in the winter, even with light, they slow down a bit. They will not lay during a molt, so that is their full break. We added an outlet to the timer this year, so we can add a string of lights to the Inside perimeter that will also be on the timer.

they receive supplemental light in the morning, and like @tripletfeb, in the darkest part of winter, the lights come on pretty early. But we adjust the time through the fall and winter. We have already started supplemental light in the coop. So far, the chickens have mottled as expected.

 

[Folly's place]

Here too, the light comes on at 3am to 4am, and off at 8am every day. So, normal bed time, and they are up early.
We have a mixed age flock, and do like to get some winter eggs.
Mary