Newbie to Supplemental lighting...

[Woooosh]

My young hens are just beginning to lay- just as fall is shortening the days. I know from reading here they will produce best with 16 hours of light a day and I know the quality of that light matters. Only two of my 7 hens has begun to lay and I suspect lighting is a factor.

I want to get them on a stable light schedule. My hens free range during the day (they head out the run's pop-hole with morning light) and return to the coop mid-afternoon. Is it best to supplement light in the morning, the evening, or add a few hours to each?

All comments are welcomed. Thanks.

 

[Chris102]

I use zoo med Avain Sun 5.0 full spectrum UVB lights on my Gouldian Finches since they are housed in a building. Like you, My young Coturnix hens are just starting to lay and I'll probably use the same bulbs for them as well once the days get too short. I plan to have them on a timer...turning on before dusk for a few extra hours...and having a small VERY low wattage night light for when the UVB bulb turns off.

I know there are many Coturnix quail breeders on the forum that have the lighting down to a science. I'm sure one of them will chime in!

The bulbs I mentioned are a little pricey but I have seen a marked difference in the overall health and production with my gouldian finches since I started using those lights.

 

[baldeagle567]

I am new to raising quail and have a couple of newer style curly type lights on my cages. I have them on from 5 AM to 9AM and then on again at 4PM to 10PM (I live in Washington state). Are the longer florescent tube lighting better?

Baldeagle567