What light should i use in the chicken run to extend daylight this time of the year ?

[ArraAchicksMama]

What light should i use in the chicken run to extend daylight this time of the year ? I want to offer them extended source of daylight for egg production. Thanks!

 

[azygous]

During the day when chickens are awake and active, unless you live at the north pole, you don't need to run a light during the day. What you want to do is to extend the light in the coop into the dark hours by about two extra hours. You only need low light to accomplish this. I use those rope lights with a timer for them to come on two hours before sunrise.

 

[Penpal]

I don't think it matters, they are not plants. If you want to be able to see what's going on, use a brighter bulb. Otherwise, a low wattage should be fine. You need to know at what time you want their sun to do down and time it.

 

[ArraAchicksMama]

During the day when chickens are awake and active, unless you live at the north pole, you don't need to run a light during the day. What you want to do is to extend the light in the coop into the dark hours by about two extra hours. You only need low light to accomplish this. I use those rope lights with a timer for them to come on two hours before sunrise.

I'm not familiar with "rope light" Have u got a photo to share? Thank you

 

[azygous]

Amazon has them in different lengths. I like them for the coop because they are flush with the walls and take up no space and no light bulbs to break or risk burning the chickens. https://www.amazon.com/FOEERS-Outdo...x=rope+lights+for+indoors,aps,230&sr=8-8&th=1

 

[ArraAchicksMama]

I don't think it matters, they are not plants. If you want to be able to see what's going on, use a brighter bulb. Otherwise, a low wattage should be fine. You need to know at what time you want their sun to do down and time it.

Thank you for reminding me my chickens "aren't plants". I forgot.

 

[Karoo permaculture]

Do you have pure laying hens, that you intend to keep for 2-3 years as laying hens? Or do you intend to get a bit longer life from them? I am a firm believer that the hens should be able to rest at some point during the year and take a break from egg laying

 

[BDutch]

Do you have pure laying hens, that you intend to keep for 2-3 years as laying hens? Or do you intend to get a bit longer life from them? I am a firm believer that the hens should be able to rest at some point during the year and take a break from egg laying

It seems the production hens that don’t have a break in winter, usually only live about 4/5 years before getting severe health problems.

Heritage breeds and barnyard mixes that lay less, can live a healthy life much longer.

Its better for their health to start with extra light after they stopped laying. It takes several weeks to come back into laying, but this way they had at least a break to recover.

I tried extra light for 2 years but it didn’t work properly to get eggs all winter. Now I’m glad to have a lovely 9 yo hen that laid eggs from spring till fall. A 9 and a 10 yo only laid some eggs in spring. These 2 both stopped laying bc they became broody and foster parent. One gave up fostering recently and is moulting now. The other oldie still sleeps with ‘her’ 4 month old babies.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Do you have pure laying hens, that you intend to keep for 2-3 years as laying hens? Or do you intend to get a bit longer life from them? I am a firm believer that the hens should be able to rest at some point during the year and take a break from egg laying

I have provided supplemental light in my coop every year for the past 3 yrs, the hens that are due for their molt still stop laying, take a break, and go through their molt.