Someone distract me....

[Folly's place]

It takes at least fourteen hours of light, and sixteen hours is better. Time the lights to go on in the early morning, so dusk is normal for them.
Pullets might lay fairly well their first winter without extra lighting. Maybe.
Mary

 

[WIchickMama]

It takes at least fourteen hours of light, and sixteen hours is better. Time the lights to go on in the early morning, so dusk is normal for them.
Pullets might lay fairly well their first winter without extra lighting. Maybe.
Mary

Got it! Min 14 hrs....now to get my butt outta bed at 6 am when it is -30 out.

 

[tripletfeb]

Got it! Min 14 hrs....now to get my butt outta bed at 6 am when it is -30 out.

That's what the timer is for

 

[WIchickMama]

True for the timer but they will still need fresh unfrozen water

 

[FeatherTay]

I know the feeling! My blue cochin still has yet to lay and she will be only 5 months tomorrow so I still have to wait so long… Also my silkie is 6 months and is still not laying. It’s so hard to wait!

 

[FeatherTay]

True for the timer but they will still need fresh unfrozen water

Have you through about water heaters?

 

[WIchickMama]

I have one in mind/in my shopping cart, but still will need to check when it is that cold I would think. Not sure about water or food in the coop yet. Run will be plastic off and is covered already, hoping to do minimal feed/water inside.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Best not to have water in the coop, increased humidity in coop can lead to frostbitten combs and wattles.

 

[tripletfeb]

I use a heated nipple bucket all the time in my coop. The lid on it and the fact that it's a nipple dispenser keeps the humidity low

 

[Fallenone05]

I used a fish tank heater in my waterer when it was weirdly cold (-13 for Oklahoma) this past year with that freak snow storm we got. Worked really well but evaporated water out of a trough pretty quickly. I didn't care to get them new water though, but busting solid ice sucks.