Please help-questions concerning light....

[mags2009]

Hi everyone,

I have 7 pullets; 2 white rocks, 2 barred rocks, 2 buff orpingtons, and 1 red star. They will be 20 weeks tomorrow. They "look" ready to lay eggs any time, (they all have bright red wattles and combs, except for the red star), but no eggs yet. Last week we added a timer so their light will come on in the coop at 4:00 am, until 8:00 am. I noticed when I go in to open their door in the morning, they are still up on the roost! Will the light still help them to (hopefully) lay soon and not wait until spring? I am really getting frustrated.... the waiting is SO HARD!!!!!!

P.S. I also have 3 easter eggers that I am trying to integrate, but will write more on that later!!!

Thanks,

Kerry

 

[JakRat]

hmm... i am not sure about that light, but they should be laying any day now... my girls ( sex links) lay no matter what the light... hens seem really able to see that it is light out and they will lay whenever...my moms chicken has even laid an egg at night before!

 

[Goose and Fig]

With those breeds- they'll probably start laying no matter what you do with the light. Mine lay all year- not as much in the winter, but they do. Give them another few weeks, you'll have little pullet eggs and huge double-yolkers all over the place.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

You probably confused them by adding too much light at once. Adding a half an hour a week until they are all laying better simulates the lengthening days that would stimulate them to lay. Don't worry, they'll get there.