Nightlight? Fayoumis not laying yet at 5 months

[pepperjack]

I have some hens about 5 months of age. The fayoumis among em I definitely expect to be laying by now. I'm going to build a battery powered light on a timer to stretch their daylight hours out. I don't have power at the coop so a battery is needed and I need to be efficient with the light... How dim can the light be? Would a little 2w led (like a 20w old fashioned bulb) be enough? The coop is 8x16 ft

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Are they allowed to free range? They might be hiding their eggs.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Two 40 watt equivalent bulbs about 5 feet apart, for a 8'x 16' coop. Should be enough.
14 hours of total light, daylight and additional, is the most commonly used.
Add it slowly, about a half hour a week. GC

 

[aart]

I have some hens about 5 months of age. The fayoumis among em I definitely expect to be laying by now. I'm going to build a battery powered light on a timer to stretch their daylight hours out. I don't have power at the coop so a battery is needed and I need to be efficient with the light... How dim can the light be? Would a little 2w led (like a 20w old fashioned bulb) be enough? The coop is 8x16 ft

Welcome to BYC!
Where in the world are you located, add it to your profile?
Light needs to be 'bright enough to read a newspaper' at roost level.
Timing is essential. Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.

 

[BYC910]

Glad you joined us .Don't worry .They are not going to at twenty weeks just start laying .It's not like you can throw a switch and eggs come out .Even with lighting there is no guarantee that at twenty weeks they will lay . The lengthening of daylight triggers birds that spring is coming and it's time to get ready . I have pullets that started to lay then stopped with the cold weather .Some will not lay until daylight hours start to increase. And I also have pullets that are laying. I'm terrible with records so couldn't tell you how old they are . More than twenty weeks I'm sure . A more natural pain in the rear approach is to gaudily increase lighting . Or just let nature take it's course. In a few weeks daylight will start to increase and that will trigger the signal it is time. Even then it might take a while . If you want to keep your hens for more than the normal two years and their gone . Which is standard production house procedure .Let it happen naturally .Many things can affect when they start and how well they lay . J.M.O .Best of luck with your flock