Northern Hemisphere chicken keepers. Hang in there.

[ChickenCanoe]

Today is the shortest day of the year. Short days detected by the pineal gland signal animals to curtail reproduction.
At my latitude, day length was 1 second shorter than yesterday and 3 seconds shorter than tomorrow, January 1 will be 39 seconds longer than the day before. By the end of January, the days will be 45 minutes longer than today. Light period will be 2 minutes longer per day than dark period. Hens at laying age but not producing may start in February. Daily change is greatest the third week of March.
Eggs are soon in your future.

 

[Callender Girl]

Thanks for the interesting and encouraging words.

While I am looking forward to the resumption of egg laying, I am also darned tired of doing chores in the dark. Hurray for post-solstice days!

 

[aart]

Eggs are soon in your future.

I got one yesterday....but then I use supplemental lights.

I am also darned tired of doing chores in the dark.

Get a headlight?

Sunrise continues to be seconds later each day, until about Jan 8.
Most people won't really notice the lengthening days until sometime in Feb.

 

[Callender Girl]

Oh, I have a headlamp that includes a night vision setting that I think is less upsetting to the critters than glaring white light. And, it makes it possible to do chores.

But both the birds and I want the sun back!!!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I got one yesterday....but then I use supplemental lights.


Get a headlight?

Sunrise continues to be seconds later each day, until about Jan 8.
Most people won't really notice the lengthening days until sometime in Feb.

Yeah, I don't think the chickens' reproductive system can feel the difference right now but it will take hold beginning in another month.

Supplemental light is the key. Do you do it in the morning, evening or both?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is always interesting to me how light reaching the earth can vary in so many ways depending on where we each happen to be on this orb. I've known people with chickens closer to the equator but I haven't raised them there. I would like to experience how a constant daylength influences things like molting and egg production throughout the year.

 

[Bawkbok]

I got one yesterday....but then I use supplemental lights.

Does supplemental light work for birds that have not started to lay yet or only for birds already laying? We have three, ages 8-10 months, all of whom should be laying by now I would think but are not. How many watts should the supplemental light be and for how many hours do you extend the light source?

 

[gimmie birdies]

I always took to evening light. On Dec. 10th or so, sun set at 4:05, and now it is setting at 4:08 sure the mornings are a tad darker, but the evenings are getting a tad lighter.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If birds are of laying age but not yet begun, supplemental lighting which is intended to increment the day length can bring them to sexual maturity and promote onset of lay.
The key is increasing light period vis-a-vis dark period.

 

[AGeese]

I didn't look, but I thought it was yesterday. Either way something to celebrate.