Necessary light for layers

[speckledhen]

Mine continue to lay at a reduced rate without supplemental light. After losing one hen after another to internal laying/reproductive malfunction, I do not supplement the light. I want them to rest when their bodies need it and I still do get eggs all winter. They don't automatically stop all winter long; some may, but not all or even most.

 

[gmachicken]

Thank you all so much. I appreciate all your comments. have a great weekend.

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
I add light both morning and night to keep it more natural to daylight since the sun rises later and sets earlier in the winter. By midsummer we normally go from before 6 until after 9 during DST, that's what I give my birds in the winter--actually start it in Sept to get them used to it. You'll also notice that most of my hens are sexlinks, that's because I get them for eggs not pets so if this "burns" them out, so be it I'll replace them. (I'm not sure that it does BTW as I still have birds that lay sporadically into their 6th yr--which is as long as I've ever kept them.)

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Agreed. I chose good winter layers for my first flock so I wouldn't have to worry about the potential problems caused by adding light. I get eggs all winter.
In my juvenile flock not all of the breeds I chose are considered good winter layers, but it doesn't matter. I won''t be adding light, having learned from other's experiences with it.

 

[blueseal]

i tryed the light thing last year . timer on at 3am off at daylight . i didnt see much of a difference in egg laying. so this year im just gonna go with the natural light.