Question about supplemental lighting

[Melissa F]

I've never had to add lighting in my coop before...other years my birds layed fine year round. But I have only been getting 1-2 eggs for over 2 months now. (Original flock went through a long molt and younger hens haven't started laying yet). Now that I've gone two days without my egg sandwich for breakfast I've decided it's time to add a light. My questions are: is it better to add light in the morning or in the evening, and how long should it take until they start laying again? Thanks so much!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've never added light either, I read you should add it in the morning so their roost routine isn't messed up and they are suddenly dark. I think you are also suppose to add it and slowly lengthen it. You don't say how old your chickens are, odds are they will resume laying within a month or two without lights and about that time with lights.

 

[junebuggena]

Honestly, it's a bit late to be adding light. The days will starting getting longer naturally in just a couple more weeks. For supplemental lighting, it needs to be started in the fall, and you need to gradually lengthen the time you have the light on. And it takes a few weeks before it starts to work.

 

[aart]

Honestly, it's a bit late to be adding light. The days will starting getting longer naturally in just a couple more weeks. For supplemental lighting, it needs to be started in the fall, and you need to gradually lengthen the time you have the light on. And it takes a few weeks before it starts to work.

Ditto Dat^^^
......and it doesn't always work as well as we hope it will.

Trying to add light now or not.....you're just going to have to wait.