Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Frankiegirl]

Rookie question for you all....now that we are losing daylight and my girls go into the coop about 8:30sh....should I have artificial light in the coop and if so for how long? Typically, they are let out of the coop about 6:30am. Also, I leave water in the coop for them but have not been leaving food. Should I keep their food in the coop overnight as well given they are 16 weeks?
Thanks!

 

[Folly's place]

Don't bother with extra lighting now, even if you plan on it later.
Chicken egg laying is light dependent, and fourteen to sixteen hours of light per day is needed, if you want eggs all winter.
Some people don't add winter lighting, and some do. I have a small light out there on a timer, 4am to 8am, from later in September until April, because I do want winter eggs. It's still not optimal, but there are some eggs produced.
Mary

 

[1muttsfan]

Don't bother with extra lighting now, even if you plan on it later.
Chicken egg laying is light dependent, and fourteen to sixteen hours of light per day is needed, if you want eggs all winter.
Some people don't add winter lighting, and some do. I have a small light out there on a timer, 4am to 8am, from later in September until April, because I do want winter eggs. It's still not optimal, but there are some eggs produced.
Mary

Agreed. I don't put my birds on artificial light until March, as I prefer them to have some down time to store up calcium and pigments, and keep some fat on to protect against cold weather. Also, eggs freeze before they can be collected on many days, which is a big waste. I usually have a few birds that continue to lay even with short days.

Best to provide supplemental lighting in the morning. If you do it at night the coop is plunged into sudden darkness, instead of gradual twilight which allows the birds to roost up and prepare for sleep.

 

[Frankiegirl]

Agreed. I don't put my birds on artificial light until March, as I prefer them to have some down time to store up calcium and pigments, and keep some fat on to protect against cold weather. Also, eggs freeze before they can be collected on many days, which is a big waste. I usually have a few birds that continue to lay even with short days.

Best to provide supplemental lighting in the morning. If you do it at night the coop is plunged into sudden darkness, instead of gradual twilight which allows the birds to roost up and prepare for sleep.

Great feed back! Thanks to you both @1muttsfan and @Folly's place

 

[snowflake]

Great feed back! Thanks to you both @1muttsfan and @Folly's place

If you have a winter run set up the food and water can be kept outside. I never bring mine in. food encourages mice and water gets spilled and causes a wet coop.

 

[Frankiegirl]

If you have a winter run set up the food and water can be kept outside. I never bring mine in. food encourages mice and water gets spilled and causes a wet coop.

Thanks....they are in close quarters now until we move to the new house where they will have a ton of room both in the coop and run which will be covered. They boogie over each other in the morning getting to the feeder which makes me chuckle now that they are getting a bit older.
Hope everyone is having a great day. Weather is picture perfect.

 

[Folly's place]

Glorious weather, and going to get hot again, sadly.
Embarrassing to complain about 90F when folks elsewhere are seeing 110F! (But we wouldn't ever live there!)
Mary

 

[aart]

Glorious weather, and going to get hot again, sadly.
Embarrassing to complain about 90F when folks elsewhere are seeing 110F! (But we wouldn't ever live there!)
Mary

Yes, not looking forward to it.
Trying to focus on that at least the humidity will be rather low, and nights in the 60's!!

It's all relative...and no, would never live anywhere that got that hot.

 

[RaZ]

Rookie question for you all....now that we are losing daylight and my girls go into the coop about 8:30sh....should I have artificial light in the coop and if so for how long? Typically, they are let out of the coop about 6:30am. Also, I leave water in the coop for them but have not been leaving food. Should I keep their food in the coop overnight as well given they are 16 weeks?
Thanks!

Many opinions regarding these questions. What are your objectives? Do you want eggs all winter? If so, then extra light on a timer can help. Early morning is better.

I keep both food and water in my coop in case I don't get out early enough to open the coop. I just make sure that spillage is not a problem. A damp coop, especially in winter is a problem to be avoided at all costs. Asking for help is always a good idea, especially when just starting out. You'll get a lot of good advice here but you will also learn what works best for you and your flock

 

[RaZ]

Glorious weather, and going to get hot again, sadly.
Embarrassing to complain about 90F when folks elsewhere are seeing 110F! (But we wouldn't ever live there!)
Mary

Sadly??? Bring on the heat. I should not be wearing a sweatshirt in August.