When to turn coop light ON?

[Chicken Rancher Jeff]

Hello, I am new to chickens, and appreciate this site. I have 6 IsoBrowns in their first year. For the past six weeks they have been laying 5-6 eggs consistently, all in the three nesting boxes. Coop is 4'w x 4'l x 5' h and 3' off the ground, and run is 6'w x 12'l x 6'h and enclosed like a uterus with welded wire. The last few days, egg production was 2, 4, 4. Is it time to put a light on? Or is there something else that could be influencing production. Or am I expecting too much. Southern New Hampshire. Thanks for looking.

Chicken Rancher Jeff

 

[pennyJo1960]

if you choose to have production up through then darker month then yes a light is good ...
glad you dropped in

 

[Chicken Rancher Jeff]

if you choose to have production up through then darker month then yes a light is good ...
glad you dropped in

Hello, I am new to chickens, and appreciate this site. I have 6 IsoBrowns in their first year. For the past six weeks they have been laying 5-6 eggs consistently, all in the three nesting boxes. Coop is 4'w x 4'l x 5' h and 3' off the ground, and run is 6'w x 12'l x 6'h and enclosed like a uterus with welded wire. The last few days, egg production was 2, 4, 4. Is it time to put a light on? Or is there something else that could be influencing production. Or am I expecting too much. Southern New Hampshire. Thanks for looking.

Chicken Rancher Jeff

Thanks penny1960. Yes, I am looking for production through the cold, dark NH Fall/Winters. I just thought it was early in the year to add light. Maybe I am being fooled by our unseasonably warm temps. Thanks again, Jeff

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Thanks penny1960. Yes, I am looking for production through the cold, dark NH Fall/Winters. I just thought it was early in the year to add light. Maybe I am being fooled by our unseasonably warm temps. Thanks again, Jeff

How many hours out daylight are you currently getting? You want to aim for 14 hours and its better to add it sooner rather than later. Also, add itin the morning rather than evening so they still have the gradual dark of evening

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Whatever you decide, make sure you either turn off the light at a certain time or it is on a timer. Chickens go to sleep on instinct and will not go to roost if their area is still light.

 

[Chicken Rancher Jeff]

if you choose to have production up through then darker month then yes a light is good ...
glad you dropped in

Thanks for the support. CRJM

 

[Chicken Rancher Jeff]

How many hours out daylight are you currently getting? You want to aim for 14 hours and its better to add it sooner rather than later. Also, add itin the morning rather than evening so they still have the gradual dark of evening

Thanks Ol Grey Mare, I just looked it up and my area is 12hrs, 32mins of daylight. Thank you, I will be begin lighting the coop in the morning hours. Thanks, Chicken Rancher Jeff

 

[Chicken Rancher Jeff]

Whatever you decide, make sure you either turn off the light at a certain time or it is on a timer. Chickens go to sleep on instinct and will not go to roost if their area is still light.

Hello Dawnclucks22, thanks for the info. That makes complete sense. Chicken Rancher Jeff

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Hello Dawnclucks22, thanks for the info. That makes complete sense. Chicken Rancher Jeff

No problem