OHio ~ Come on Buckeyes, let me know your out there!

[SilkieSensation]

SilkisSensation - Wait so yours lay year round beacuse of the light? Do the eggs freeze?

I could never get electricity to my coop but I'm curious

Last year, I put lights in the coops. The chickens laid about half force until March then got up to full steam. The turkeys started laying in March & got full steam by April. The ducks were first year layers & started in Feb with lights. When it was really cold (we got down to -25 for a while a few times last winter) I left the lights on fulltime for a little extra heat. When it was 30 or above I turned them off about 9pm & back on around 6am.

 

[Watermelon123]

Welcome to BYC @Watermelon123 ! Glad you joined us here in Ohio. So, what type of birds do you have?

Re: Egg laying.....Mine stopped laying in October for about a month during molt. Then started back up. I put a 40 watt fluorescent bulb on one of those clamp lamps out there and I get eggs everyday. Much lighter than usual, but at least 1/2 of what they normally lay. There is no heat back at my coop. Hard enough to run the light back there. 3 very long extension cords. Got 17 yesterday--- out of 40 hens.

Hello! I don't actuly have birds yet but Im getting some in October. Until then I'm helping my friend with her flock of Americanas and Easter eggers.

 

[cbradio]

I have one coop in my goat barn, so they have lights. MAKE SURE YOU USE TUNGSTEN BULBS, ie INCANDESCENT!

I found out the hard way that flourescent bulbs do not help stimulate the pineal gland.

I am getting about1 1.5 doz chicken eggs a day from around 30 layers, I have 9 ducks that lay around 8 eggs per day. The ducks are extremely regular in their lay schedules.

Turkeys were laying great ( started late december) but have tapered off.

I only turn on the heat lamps (stapled in place using heavy duty romex wire staples to ensure they don't fall and burn the coop down) if it gets below 0 degF. Otherwise, they're on the "learn to be cold hardy" plan.

 

[Outpost JWB]

I should have added that my clamp light is secured in 2 ways. Always make sure you have a fail safe plan if you plan to use a light. Like @cbradio pointed out. You don't want to burn down the coop.

 

[SilkieSensation]

Also hooking lamps to wire with 2-3 heavy zipties works well. I use several in case 1 breaks & check them daily while feeding. Always check lamps!

 

[Autumn Leaves]

Anyone know where the Cincinnati area Tractor Supply gets their chicks from? I asked an employee and just got a weird look lol.

 

[minihorse927]

Anyone know where the Cincinnati area Tractor Supply gets their chicks from? I asked an employee and just got a weird look lol.

in the past they came from mt healthy mostly, this year we have nothing to do with mt healthy. They are coming from privett, townline, cameron, estes, and hoover hatchery. No guarantees on which store gets serviced by which hatchery.

 

[minihorse927]

privileged information, lol

 

[Autumn Leaves]

Thanks! Now I can make my lists! (Chicken math)

 

[Autumn Leaves]

Crossing my fingers for Privett because they have the ducks I want.