Lights in the coop question???

[aart]

My florescent shop lights have worked for 4 years as well. Even when I dont' get teh spiderwebs cleaned off. Guess my chickens are defective...

My only concern about the light bulb is to get it protected from the chickens. My top hen chased one of the young ones off HER spot on the roost (the location of HER SPOT changes almost daily) and the young one jumped/flew high enough to hit the rafters.

The older fluorescents do have a flicker rate that can be harmful to birds, but the newer ones much less so if at all.

Bulbs should definitely be protected from the birds hitting them, maybe hardware cloth covering on tube fixture shades....or barn type fixtures for round bulbs.
My light sits on hardware cloth 'ceiling' in coop...handy.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Funny, they've worked here for 4 years.

You should explore how many additional eggs your hens can produce without an increase in feed costs. Maybe a trip to Michigan State University's Animal Science Department would help.

I find it hilarious when people who insist on natural processes then reject those same natural process in the face of Politically Correct policy decisions.

 

[aart]

You should explore how many additional eggs your hens can produce without an increase in feed costs. Maybe a trip to Michigan State University's Animal Science Department would help.

I find it hilarious when people who insist on natural processes then reject those same natural process in the face of Politically Correct policy decisions.

No need, get plenty of eggs with 23 watts, 1500 lumens, and a 2700K spectrum.
I have never claimed to be keeping birds 'naturally'.

 

[cmom]

I have a light on from the second my chicks hatch. I have 15 watt LCD bulbs in my coops that stay on all of the time. Each bulb uses 1.5 watts. Right now I'm getting around 2 dozen eggs a day mostly from my Leghorns who seem to lay whether they're molting or not. I get a few eggs from my other birds but the Leghorns are definitely the laying machines. Most of my customers don't care about the color of the eggs shells, they want fresh eggs. Since they are molting I have increased the protein in their feed. I figured they could use it while putting on new feathers.

"Feathers are almost purely protein. They contain about 85 percent beta-keratin, the same protein in bird beaks and claws. Since a chicken puts so much of her protein reserves toward replacing her feathers, egg production (another process that demands a lot of protein) drops temporarily or even stops completely during a molt."

 

[tinyfeet]

Do they actually molt the first year? Mine are about the same age and there was absolutely no molting.

I just added an led light in the coop and run, but more for predator deterrant then laying.

Even without the light, the three that are laying, lay everyday.

I have the solar powered Nite Guard for night time predator deterrent. They seem to work well. I spoke with a gentleman the other day, he said he has been using flashing red Christmas lights with success. Both would be a cheaper alternative electric wise. Good luck.

 

[cmom]

Do they actually molt the first year? Mine are about the same age and there was absolutely no molting.

I just added an led light in the coop and run, but more for predator deterrant then laying.

Even without the light, the three that are laying, lay everyday.

They actually molt several times their first year. After that usually once a year. Some will go through a heavy molt and some light molts. As far as a light being a predator deterrent, good luck. I had motion lights and the predators would come around still and set off the lights. I have several game cameras on my property and most nights I get a picture of a predator on at least one of the cameras.

 

[llombardo]

They actually molt several times their first year. After that usually once a year. Some will go through a heavy molt and some light molts. As far as a light being a predator deterrent, good luck. I had motion lights and the predators would come around still and set off the lights. I have several game cameras on my property and most nights I get a picture of a predator on at least one of the cameras. View attachment 1572076

I was just in the run and I could here something walking along the fence line on the other side. Leaves crunching away..

By the time I'm done running wire I will be complete surrounded by electric fence. Tomorrow I'm going to run wire around the duck house and coop for the night time.

If these predators get past my first set of wire and HW cloth, good luck on getting past the second set of wire and more HW cloth.

 

[EggWalrus]

Changed my timer from 6am to 9 pm. Thanks.

If you want to do right by your birds and save some electricity, set your timer to come on at about 2 or 3 am then go off after sun comes up. If a chicken (or anyone) doesn't get a certain minimal about of sleep it causes health problems and can cause fighting and insanity. Even in Canada, chickens don't need lights during daylight. It probably doesn't hurt them in daylight, but it cost you extra electricity.

 

[aart]

Even in Canada, chickens don't need lights during daylight

Depends on coop...mine has plenty of windows but it's pretty dim in there during the day if it's cloudy. My lights are on from early(3-4am) morning to mid afternoon(2-3pm).

 

[EggWalrus]

Depends on coop...mine has plenty of windows but it's pretty dim in there during the day if it's cloudy. My lights are on from early(3-4am) morning to mid afternoon(2-3pm).

@aart I thought it only stayed dark in the day up above the circle.

How many hours of daylight do yall get in winter up there?