want to discuss using a light for laying...or not.

[chookchick]

I'm kind of on the fence about this one. On the one hand, I haven't had any eggs for about 6 weeks now, and I am really craving them now...On the other, I do think their bodies need a break, especially as they are pets and are not going to be "cycled" out. Several are molting now, some very subtly, so I won't try anything until I am sure they are not molting. Perhaps they will start up again laying, and it will be a moot issue. I get somewhat depressed with the long dark nights, and I guess I'm also doing a bit of projection.

 

[elrod]

I do use light, mostly to deter preditors. My six month old barred rock hens are in full production and loving all those eggs.

 

[Slywoody]

I have a light timer that comes on at 6:00 a.m., goes out @ 8:00 a.m., then comes on again @ 4:00 p.m. & goes out @ 8:00 p.m. Still gives my girls 10 hrs of sleep which i figure is plenty and they are healthy and laying like all good girls should. I live in Minnesota ( ya sure you betcha) and before i installed the light and the timer they had quit laying. Call it forced egg production or whatever you want but, as far i'm concerned, my girls were born to lay and lay they shall. Did i mention they are perfectly healthy. They love me and i love them. Well, maybe it's all the treats they love.

 

[greathorse]

Seriously how much sleep do they need? I give mine 16 hours of light and that gives them 8 full hours to sleep. I would kill for that much sleep every night. Mine take at least two days a week off if not more and most of them took a pretty darn good vacation as well, what with the molting and all. LOL

I do use some light in the coop and it seems to me the birds are more energetic, look better and have more vigor than when they get less light. I am not real sure about the burn out if they get more light not sure anyone has really done that research.

I like the eggs and frankly like the added pep in the step from light. That is just my perspective. I dont judge one way or another.

In one of these discussions someone made the point that if we were on the equator they would be getting 12 hours of light year around we just happen to be in a part of the world where natural light comes and goes seasonally.

I think to each their own on this one. Some a argue that their birds lay just as well without light, mine do not that is for sure.

 

[claud]

I don't give extra light. Seems like they need a break.
I get a scattering of eggs throughout the winter.

 

[nutmeg1980]

I debated about this to, and decided to give my girls light. I have a timer that goes on early in the morning (4am) and turns off at 8am. I don't give them light at night as I've heard that sudden darkness when the light turns off can be disorienting to them - their eyes don't have time to adjust to the dark. They really don't seem to mind. I think they enjoy their early morning gossip hour around the feeder!

It's hard for me to justify paying for their food if I don't get any eggs out of the deal for 4 months of the year.

 

[sillyaboutchickens]

We are going with a light on a timer to add a bit of warmth and light to the coop in the very early morning. I'm not so concerned about egg production, but feel the warmth of the light helps dry things out.