Lighting

[mattboy]

Hello just a quick question on average how many eggs does a chicken lay a year wih a lamp in there coop for the winter ?

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, mattboy, and

! Glad you joined us. I don't I have an answer for you as different breeds lay different numbers of eggs per week and some breeds are simply better winter layers. I think the general answer would be 'more' than if they didn't have the light. Sorry I can't be more definitive.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Chickens lay much the same in winter as in summer if you provide extra light. Their ovaries is stimulated by light and that encourages them to lay when the days are long. But if they don't take a break in winter it will shorten their laying "lifespan". Hens have a limited number of egg shells and if they lay constantly without a break they will stop laying at a younger age.

 

[liz9910]

from California! sumi gave you a good answer.

 

[weimarmama]

& from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[jbirds2012]

x3 on sumi's answer

 

[Imp]

Here's some good info about about chicken ovulation:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/afspoultry-files/pubs/Anatomy_Female_reproductive.pdf

Chickens are born with tens of thousands of ova, so there is no chance they will run out of eggs.
It depends on breed, health and light. Often chickens will lay during their first winter without additional light. Some breeds can continue during additional winters. Adding light in the winter stimulates laying when it is dark.
They usually start slowing down about 3 years old, although many people have reported that their chickens laid well for 4 or 5 years. Some people say their hens have continued occasionally laying into their teen years.

Imp

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

 

[aaabirdman]

Welcome to BYC from NY

 

[Red Barn Farms]