OKAY TO STOP ARTIFICIAL LIGHT THIS TIME OF YEAR??

[Fawn and Fam]

This is my 1st Winter w/ chickens and have used artificial light to keep them laying regularly. After reading the current article "Chickens & Winter Egg Laying and Lighting"on the home page I've decided to stop giving artificial light and let them lay naturally. I thought all was well until I realized that could send them into molt! The temps have been frigid here in Michigan going below 0 Fahrenheit. I only have 2 hens and we were not able to finish their insulated coop before the weather turned so they are not in the best coop right now.

My question is...Is it likely it will send them into a molt? If so maybe I should just finish out this Winter w/ artificial light and let them start laying naturally next Winter.

 

[gamebirdsonly]

I would finish with the light

 

[GD91]

We have 2 lights, one in the coop, one just outside the coop. Ours are so we can see all the birds at night (and any predators + vermin) from the windows.

I personally would leave it & stop the lighting when the daylight extends.. you don't want to mess up their body clocks into thinking its earlier in the year than it really is. Then just don't bother putting it on next Autumn / winter.

Its upto you & your circumstances i.e are you prepared to supply supplemental heat if it does send them into a moult or another natural behavior.

 

[Fawn and Fam]

Thank you both