Molting and artificial lights

[charleenforsman]

Does anyone else let their birds molt and then start artificial light or do you use light during their molt as well?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

There is no need for light during molt. They still have to molt and light won't change that.
What stimulates production is a steady increase of day length in conjunction with a decreasing dark period.

 

[black_cat]

Light won't stop them from molting. They do that naturally when they're old enough, I may be wrong but I believe it's so they have fresh feathers to keep them warmer in winter (is this true? That's what I thought anyway) When egg production slows down, add a light on a timer for a few hours before dawn, not at night.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Light won't stop them from molting. They do that naturally when they're old enough, I may be wrong but I believe it's so they have fresh feathers to keep them warmer in winter (is this true? That's what I thought anyway) When egg production slows down, add a light on a timer for a few hours before dawn, not at night.

You are right. Feathers get torn and tattered throughout the year. If a new coat isn't grown, they are less able to keep themselves warm. It happens with all species globally.
Declining day length is an indication that colder weather is coming so that is the impetus to molt and grow a new coat. The same happens in mammals. Shed and grow a new coat.

 

[black_cat]

You are right. Feathers get torn and tattered throughout the year. If a new coat isn't grown, they are less able to keep themselves warm. It happens with all species globally.
Declining day length is an indication that colder weather is coming so that is the impetus to molt and grow a new coat. The same happens in mammals. Shed and grow a new coat.

Great! I had sort of assumed that that's what molting was for but I don't want to be spreading misinformation.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What I'm not positive about is the timing of molting closer to the equator. Do they molt periodically year round? They still need to grow a new coat occasionally.

 

[black_cat]

What I'm not positive about is the timing of molting closer to the equator. Do they molt year round?

If they molted year round they'd never lay any eggs, right?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If they molted year round they'd never lay any eggs, right?

I don't mean they molt all year - year round. I mean since there is no change in day length, do they just molt when they feel the need for a new coat since temps don't change and light period doesn't change.

 

[Pullet Press]

If they molted year round they'd never lay any eggs, right?

It's typically only half a year. It's wise to get some and time them to start laying as your old hens are molting.

 

[black_cat]

I don't mean they molt all year - year round. I mean since there is no change in day length, do they just molt when they feel the need for a new coat since temps don't change and light period doesn't change.

Oooooooh- that makes more sense. Great question though!