Supplemental lighting for pullets?

[WaveyCreekChickens]

My pullets (3 Wyandottes and 1 Orpington) are 22 weeks old. They have not started laying. Their combs are not red yet. Would supplemental lighting make a difference to when they will start laying? Right now I don’t give them supplemental light. Thank you.

 

[Tookie]

They don't need supplemental light, let them take their time.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Yes. But you needed to start back in August. You'll have a delay until they catch up again hormonally. It takes between 12 and 14 hours of daylight (total lighting) to trigger the pituitary gland to release hormones to initiate laying.

Delaying the extra lighting will forego that boost when it was needed, so they will have a delay. BUT starting now and making sure they have 12 to 14 hours of total lighting, including daylight, can get them to kick into gear.

However, there are disadvantages to supplemental lighting. It can cause feather picking, especially if you go over 14 hours or have too bright of light. It also does not give their bodies the needed rest with the natural seasons. You may find layer fatigue sets in.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Oh I should note you can't just start them at 14 to 15 hours of light if you are only getting 11 to 12 depending upon where you live. The suggestion is to increase 15 to 30 minutes a week.

Personally, I don't bother with lighting. I just let nature take its course.
LofMc

 

[Tonyroo]

Wyandotte pullet start laying at about 32 to 36 weeks on average. I would assume it's similar with Orpingtons.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Yes. Lighting will get their hormones starting but won't mature a Wyandotte faster. You'll just keep them hormonally maturing.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I opt to let them take a break during these short days, but I know several people who supplement light to get more eggs. If you need the eggs, then add the light, but do it incrementally.

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

Wyandotte pullet start laying at about 32 to 36 weeks on average. I would assume it's similar with Orpingtons.

I have read anytime after 18 weeks for Wyandottes. I also have read between 4 and 5 months for Wyandottes.
I read Orpintons are slower to mature.
Have you had Wyndottes?

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

They don't need supplemental light, let them take their time.

Yes. But you needed to start back in August. You'll have a delay until they catch up again hormonally. It takes between 12 and 14 hours of daylight (total lighting) to trigger the pituitary gland to release hormones to initiate laying.

Delaying the extra lighting will forego that boost when it was needed, so they will have a delay. BUT starting now and making sure they have 12 to 14 hours of total lighting, including daylight, can get them to kick into gear.

However, there are disadvantages to supplemental lighting. It can cause feather picking, especially if you go over 14 hours or have too bright of light. It also does not give their bodies the needed rest with the natural seasons. You may find layer fatigue sets in.

LofMc

So those are contrary answers.

I did not think the pullets needed extra lighting to start laying, but my girlfriend is getting impatient. She wants eggs.
I also have adults in the coop, three of them were laying but slowed down to almost zero. Two other hens are retired.
Last year I did the supplemental lighting for 14 hours (yes, I increased slowly), but it did not make a difference with the adult hens’ laying.
So, that makes me think, the same adults won’t start to lay with the light on this year, so they will still get their break. Is that thinking correct?

 

[Cindy in PA]

Wyandotte pullet start laying at about 32 to 36 weeks on average. I would assume it's similar with Orpingtons.

I've had Wyandottes 3 times over the years & even my August hatched ones laid by 24 weeks. Most birds I have raised start between 18 & 22 weeks. YMMV