When can I expect less eggs because of no artificial lighting?

[Chirpy]

If they stop laying and we then decide to add artificial lighting would that be detrimental to them?

Would they start to lay again?

I ask because my hubby is out of work right now and we really appreciate those eggs every day.

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

I turn a regular 100 watt ight bulb on in each coop when I start cooking supper every night then after supper is done I go out and turn them off Between 6-7 pm.

It helps them to keep laying but more important to me is it gives them a last chance to eat and drink befor the cold night sets in.

 

[sloper74]

We have 50 laying hens, AND use light, and we're still only getting 4 or 5 eggs/day. I've not been impressed with the light so I'm turning it off to save $. We were selling dozens of eggs/week in the spring and summer, now we barely have enough for ourselves.

Can't wait for the "good ole days" of Spring!

 

[valmom]

Does it matter what kind of light? Incandescent or fluorescent? Or do you need sunlight type lamps?

I don't think this winter we will light the chickies, but it is something to think about down the road.

 

[bigzio]

Regular light bulb is all you need to use. If your coop isn't very large, a 40 watt bulb will work. The larger the coop the more light you will need. Remember that 14 hours of light is needed to keep production up. If you decide to increase light later on then it's best to slowly increase the light hours. I prefer to add the additional light in the AM, the hens can go to roost like normal, and not suddenly have the light turned off and then finding the roost in the dark.

bigzio

 

[FrozenChicken]

I keep my Barn between 10 - 20 degrees Celcuis during winter months to keep the girls laying. As for light bulbs I use red light bulbs in my barn because since the birds are cooped it deters pecking (with a large flock like mine it can happen). Of course I live in Northern Alberta so daylight is a real issue.

 

[greenmulberry]

I finally broke down and hung a 60 watt light bulb on a timer. To get a 14 hour day I will have it come on at 3am.

I figure it will provide a nice bit of extra gentle heat too during the coldest part of the night.

We shall see if the hens start up again. I have two pullets who are 5 and a half months old and not laying yet as well, I wonder if it will kick them into gear as well?

I was not going to go with a light, so they could have a break from laying, but break time is over ladies!!! They have gone through their molt and all but one has a nice new set of feathers.

 

[bigzio]

Yep, this will work fine, it will take some time after the molt before the onset of lay...just keep the faith and the light going. Before long you will have lots of great eggs.

bigzio

 

[PurpleChicken]

Our layers are 7 months old.

Sunup is the start of their day. The lights in the barn go on before
sundown and stay on until 11:30PM.

Temp never drops below 50 degrees - It's heated.

We are getting 7 eggs daily from 9 layers.

We spend most of our of quality chicken time in the evenings so the light
is needed, as is the heat.

Next year we will let them molt to keep them healthy.

 

[MamaSue]

I have two RIR and two Austrolorps. They are 23 weeks old today and no eggs yet. I've been reading about the reduction in egg production due to the winter and less light. Can the actual start of egg-laying be affected as well? Is it possible I will need to wait till spring to get eggs? I recently hooked up a light to go on at 5 a.m. which will give them about 12 hours of light. Maybe that will trigger it.