Lighting question.

I agonized over this for months, until I came out one night for the dogs and realised that my backyard lights (4 spotlights) shine right into both sides of the coop (I had just put in windows on all sides). I had the problem of so much light they couldn't sleep. I put a 7 day timer on the backyard lights and my problem is solved.

 

Hi from Ga. My pens are open so I let the sun supply my light.

 

We have corrugated clear panels on the roof of the coop we built last summer and with the shed kit we're building and converting, we're making 1/2 of that roof (south facing with nests on the north side of the shed) with them too. We're not running electricity to new coop tho'. Too expensive, so might do a couple of those solar paneled yard lights that turn on when it detects movement of either side of the East (our door) and West (their door) facing walls so if we're out there at night or predators roam too close they'll automatically turn on.

 

From your other thread, I believe you are talking about supplemental light to get them to lay this winter, not regular light from windows, though I am not sure. If you want to provide the extra light for winter laying, all you need is enough light so you can read a newspaper in there at night. It does not take a bright light. I think they are a little calmer if the light is not too bright anyway. Putting a small wattage bulb on a timer is a great way to go about this.

I don't provide supplemental light, but let mine have the downtime to recharge their system. After a long time of laying without the break they get from a molt, the egg shells can get lighter colored and they can reduce the frequency of laying. But I don't generally have pullets coming into lay around Christmas like you do.

As far as windows, I just have one. It's on the north side since that is the only outside wall I built for my coop. All I was after was enough light so I can see when I am in there working. I did put in a single incandescent light for when I go in there at night to count them or work in there. That comes in real handy. A couple of outlets is a real good idea too for a walk-in coop, but that's necessary for one the size of yours. With your coop, just a regular nightlight may be enough to extend the laying, or maybe get yours started, plus allow you to see in there at night.

 

I agree with Ridgerunner, I don't want to "burn out" my hens before their time nor need to have them lay for more than 300 to 350 eggs a year. I would give them a break when they molt, rest and up the protein and they last alot longer than the ones that needs the light on them constantly and longer.

 

If you are providing light to increase the hens days then you can add a outlet and a timer like this. This timer is set to turn the light on about an hour before daylight on off in about an hours after daylight.

 

why not leave the light on all the time??

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