post your chicken coop pictures here!

[gpeters3]

There has to be enough light and the right color light to stimulate their pineal gland (and hypothalamus) that releases the hormone that tells there body to start producing an egg... If the light is not sufficient it won't stimulate the gland...

That is probably why mine did not lay last winter. I Only had one bulb, way up high and not near the nest boxes. The year before in a smaller coop the light was right over the nest boxes and more watts and they laid all winter. A little slower than in summer but still pretty busy.

 

[Sylvester017]

There has to be enough light and the right color light to stimulate their pineal gland (and hypothalamus) that releases the hormone that tells there body to start producing an egg... If the light is not sufficient it won't stimulate the gland...

Yes, I'm aware of the correct light for egg-stimulation. But I'm old-fashioned like my farm Mom and let the daylight hours determine the chickens' natural laying cycles. The artificial patio light we use is for predator issues rather than laying. My preference style is to allow the chickens' bodies a seasonal rest from egg-laying. In fact, I get thrilled when my Silkies go broody and stop laying -- since those little buggers can lay 5 to 6 eggs a week out of those little 2-lb bodies of theirs! Going broody or taking a break between laying cycles is a good way for the hens' bodies to replenish the nutrients they lost during egg-laying.

 

[gpeters3]

That sounds like a good idea! And I assume the red helps with fighting and stuff or doesn't disturb them as much? I thought about running electric to the new coop we're building but it seems so complicated and/or dangerous haha I might try to figure out how to. But wow that's so interesting! That seems smart honestly though.

Red light is supposed to keep them calmer and reduce bullying. My chickens are a fun project for adults and kids but also provide eggs and meat as needed so egg laying stress isnt as important to me. I dont want them over stressed but i do want some eggs in winter. Red lighting seems to work if there is enough wattage.

Almost everyone has a friend or family member who knows how to run a circuit. You can find directions on the net as well. Safety is very important so familiarize yourself as much as possible before attempting such a project. Ive been doing it since highschool shop class. For $45 you can get the latest residential code book and everything you need to know is in there. Dont listen to nurds that claim to work on everything "hot", even professional linemen turn power off when possible and they are trained for this. Statistically more pros are killed by 110v than any other voltage.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I always look for end-of-season garden sales in-store and on-line both.  You gotta be quick to catch the deals because they go fast.

Seems the season is starting now but i will keep that in mind for the end of season

Red light is supposed to keep them calmer and reduce bullying. My chickens are a fun project for adults and kids but also provide eggs and meat as needed so egg laying stress isnt as important to me. I dont want them over stressed but i do want some eggs in winter. Red lighting seems to work if there is enough wattage.

Almost everyone has a friend or family member who knows how to run a circuit. You can find directions on the net as well. Safety is very important so familiarize yourself as much as possible before attempting such a project. Ive been doing it since highschool shop class. For $45 you can get the latest residential code book and everything you need to know is in there. Dont listen to nurds that claim to work on everything "hot", even professional linemen turn power off when possible and they are trained for this. Statistically more pros are killed by 110v than any other voltage.

That definitely makes sense! I'm not sure if I'd mind if they didn't lay in winter or not but hopefully at least one of mine does.

Thanks for all the info! I'll definitely look into that stuff and be careful! We'd probably have to hire someone but I don't know. I don't trust being able to do it myself haha

 

[goose12]

 

[perchie.girl]

OH MY GAWD that is adorable.... and incredibly Clean.....

deb

 

[nhendrix]

I was told they are Production Reds. They lay beautiful brown eggs and are very friendly.

 

[bruceha2000]

Quote:
1,500 CFM seems like a lot. How big is the coop?

My chickens refuse to go into their coop without a light on...kid you not.

Not surprising if it is dark in there and light outside. My coop is dark inside because it is set back 8' from the outside wall of the barn so only when the evening sun is low does it get direct light in the coop. But typically they head to roost as the light gets low.

There has to be enough light and the right color light to stimulate their pineal gland (and hypothalamus) that releases the hormone that tells there body to start producing an egg... If the light is not sufficient it won't stimulate the gland...

Yep and the egg laying color is in the red spectrum. Around 630 nm which we barely notice. They also see a LOT more blue than we do. 480 nm is BIG in a chicken's eye, we see less than half of that blue wavelength than we see in the 630 nm red.

https://www.onceinnovations.com/wp/...0/Science-of-Poultry-Vision-Single-Pages1.pdf

Quote:
Same birds? And how old? The older they get the less they lay

My June 2012 girls all laid through their first winter as did my June 2015 chicks.

Only 3 or 4 of the 2012's laid their second winter but the rest started back up early to mid February 2014.
3 laid winter 2015 though there was an unfortunate month off mid Dec to mid Jan - no eggs for XMas cookies

The rest started back up the end of Feb or early March ... except the Cubalayas that waited until mid April. This past winter, last egg from the 2012's was 11/14 but only the 2 BAs laid after 10/26. Got 7 eggs from 1 of the Anconas in January. The EE laid for about 2 weeks starting 2/11 then stopped until 3/26 when one of the Faverolles restarted. The Anconas started back up mid Feb, the bigger BA on 3/23. Nothing yet from the Cubalayas.

 

[peastix]

Very cute! and welcome to BYC

 

[goose12]

Very cute! and welcome to BYC

cheers keeps my 3 pekin bantam girls happy.