ok folks educate me before I go crazy

[tamglas]

Regarding the chickens (I know nothing about ducks) do you think it could be their diet? Maybe they are eating too much scratch? Ours have stopped laying this last week because they are molting but they also stop if there is extreme weather. Who can blame them? Welcome and hope you get your egg production back in gear

 

[twostrokes48]

thanks for the additional replys. Sounds like most feel it is the daylight or lack there of. I knew that happened, just didn't realize it would hit so fast. Thanks for the tip on the solar lights. I hadn't thought about that. I don't know why. I have my house on 5.3k of solar tied into the grid. I do have an additional large solar panel not being used, I could hook up to some extra car batteries I have for emergencies. I guess daylight saving time this week could also have some effect. I know economics is not the main reason for having a few chickens, but these eggs are getting to be very expensive. Been feeding these hens since march....also fed the 50% that were roosters from my chicks...but they are in the freezer so I'm getting a little return on my investment there. I'll try to get the light hooked up this week and see if they come back to life.

 

[twostrokes48]

OK, I am ready to add the lights.....Now next question....I have these chickens in a chicken tractor.the enclosed area of the tractor has just enough space for the 4 nest boxes , about 3x6 walk around area with the roosts above that area. The rest of the outfit is exposed chicken wire. Now do I put the lights inside the little enclosed area where they roost and lay?? or outside where they spend the day?? or light up both areas???

Since I read it is better to hit the lights in the morning instead of adding the light at night, I would assume I should put the light inside where they are roosting so they can see it. But since they are awake early before daylight, maybe I should put it outside in their little pen??? which way to go??
thanks again for any help.