Lightning

[Jpiggle1]

I’m getting ready to put a light in my coop to encourage longer egg laying. Here is my question; Do you put the light in the bedroom portion of a small coop or the bottom wire portion? I have a small coop with 4 hens. Thanks

 

[jthornton]

I saw the title and said holy moly lightning... You put the light so it lights up the area that they feed and water and roost at. Add more light in the morning only, allow the sunset to be natural motivator for them to head to the roost.

JT

 

[Grits&Eggs]

Hi @Jpiggle1; @jthornton - I have a small solar light to light my coop, it allows additional 1-2 hours past sundown, it isn't hooked up to a battery so I can't control on/off, seems to work, gives off just enough light to light the front of the coop, the back, where they roost is still shadowed, they stay on and roost at sundown with this method. Hope this is OK!

 

[Jpiggle1]

Hi @Jpiggle1; @jthornton - I have a small solar light to light my coop, it allows additional 1-2 hours past sundown, it isn't hooked up to a battery so I can't control on/off, seems to work, gives off just enough light to light the front of the coop, the back, where they roost is still shadowed, they stay on and roost at sundown with this method. Hope this is OK!

Thank You for your reply. I read in “Stories Guide to Chickens” to start lighting in September if you want more eggs in winter. I got an adjustable timer and yellow bulb but wasn’t sure where to mount. I will put in bottom open area. But I can’t do as jthornton suggests and do AM because it is photo sensitive and turns on at dusk. So it must be at evening.

 

[jthornton]

Just so you know if the light goes off the chickens can't get to the roost because they won't be able to see it so they just sit down when the lights go off. IMHO it's better to not add light if you can't do it in the morning unless the light takes 30 minutes slowly dimming down like a natural sundown to allow them time to get to the roost.

Extra light should be started when you get less than 14 hours of daylight. Mine have been getting extra light for well over a month. Well I just looked and extra light started August 2nd.

JT

 

[jthornton]

You should add your location in your profile as answers differ by location, weather etc.

JT

 

[jthornton]

Hi @Jpiggle1; @jthornton - I have a small solar light to light my coop, it allows additional 1-2 hours past sundown, it isn't hooked up to a battery so I can't control on/off, seems to work, gives off just enough light to light the front of the coop, the back, where they roost is still shadowed, they stay on and roost at sundown with this method. Hope this is OK!

If they are going to the roost at sundown then that is not enough light to stimulate egg production.

JT

 

[Jpiggle1]

Tyvm

Just so you know if the light goes off the chickens can't get to the roost because they won't be able to see it so they just sit down when the lights go off. IMHO it's better to not add light if you can't do it in the morning unless the light takes 30 minutes slowly dimming down like a natural sundown to allow them time to get to the roost.

Extra light should be started when you get less than 14 hours of daylight. Mine have been getting extra light for well over a month. Well I just looked and extra light started August 2nd.

JT

 

[EggWalrus]

Just so you know if the light goes off the chickens can't get to the roost because they won't be able to see it so they just sit down when the lights go off. IMHO it's better to not add light if you can't do it in the morning unless the light takes 30 minutes slowly dimming down like a natural sundown to allow them time to get to the roost.

Extra light should be started when you get less than 14 hours of daylight. Mine have been getting extra light for well over a month. Well I just looked and extra light started August 2nd.

JT

Horton knows what he is talking about here. Chickens can handle the light coming on at 3 or 4 in the morning. But it stresses them out to have the light go out on them after sunset and then be stuck on the coop floor till daylight. They spend the night awake, fearing predators and wishing they could see to get up high on a roost.
How do I know this?
My chickens told me!

 

[EggWalrus]

Something else, most universities Do Not Recommend using artificial light for chickens less than 18 months old or that have not been thru their 1st molt. If they haven't been thru a molt yet, they will probably lay right thru their 1st winter without any additional lighting. At least most breeds that are know for their egg laying abilities will.