Lighting--what am I doing wrong?

[Arielle]

After the fall molt, I put in the light and set the timer for the layers. THis was last week.

I expected to see more eggs than NONE today. I"m doing something wrong. Can you help me get these girls back laying??

HEns are 12-18 months old; 6 roosters live with the 25 hens. THey free range during the day. Have layer pellets and get warm water in the morning and fresh water for the night.

Light is on until 8 pm ( sun down at 4:30) and on at 4 am.

I'm thinking two things:

lights need longer time to be effective

light is not reaching all the girls looking at how they roost. As I remember the light actually needs to reach their heads.

What am I missing?

 

[BethanyS]

What kind of light are you using?

 

[Arielle]

60 watt incandescent


Have been reading--maybe need to be sure to have a warm light?

 

[Smoochie]

The hens need approx. 15 hours light and 6-8 hours of darkness. The light needs to be 7 ft above the floor and above feeder and away from nesting boxes. It can take several weeks for the hens to think the season is right for reproduction...

 

[Arielle]

Hmmm . . . maybe the heat shield is blocking too much of the light. THe light is not so much as down on them as across. May need to hang the light differently.