Winter egg laying

[blueseal]

i just put some battery operated light in my coop turned them on at 3 am this morning had couple over ther roost and 2 pointing at nest boxes went out AT 10 AM AND FOUND THREE EGGS IN 1 NEST BOX THE LIGHT WAS SHINING ON AND THEY HAD BEEN LAYING IN THE OTHER PART OF COOP U THINK THE LIGHT MADE THEM LAY

 

[crooked stripe]

They do make such a dimmer timer. They are used for stage lighting. They are run with computers. You can do anything you want with a computer and timers and dimmers. All it takes is lots of bucks.

 

[columbiacritter]

Odd, but I live at a fairly high lattitude so dark until almost 8 am and full dark by 5 pm, but my girls are still laying. Of 5 laying ducks, 3 eggs everyday without fail, sometimes 4. Of 5 laying chickens 1 to 4 eggs with an average of 2. Haven't had a day yet without at least 1 chicken egg.

No supplemental light since my coop isn't wired.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Alot of it depends on the breed and the age of the chickens. Mine took a short break, less than 2 weeks, and now are back up to full production. I don't like the drawbacks to adding light and I'll never do it.

 

[Norm2475]

I have 3 golden sex links and 3 production reds. I am going to put a light out there. Someone had asked a good question does it matter if the light is on in the morning or in the night. They do need some dark time to sleep right?

 

[Norm2475]

I just read all the replies about the light. good stuff

 

[luvmygirlsinAK]

Quote:
Alot of it depends on the breed and the age of the chickens. Mine took a short break, less than 2 weeks, and now are back up to full production. I don't like the drawbacks to adding light and I'll never do it.

Well, I have to tell you, I think it would be inhumane for me to leave my girls without artificial light-they would be in the dark for 21 hours right now if I did so-they would only have 3 hours in which it was only partially light out, which would make them extremely drowsy even during the "daylight" hours we have right now-so I definitely don't feel that it is right to make them sleep for that many hours a day. To me that would be considered abusive. I feel that everyone should do what they feel they need to do for their given situation. The girls love their beauty sleep, but not that much!!!

 

[gritsar]

luvmygirlsinAK. we've already agreed that your situation based on where you live is extreme.
Most of us don't live at the north pole.
Also, my chickens have windows in their coop and those windows are unshuttered anytime the temps are over 40 degrees. They are doing fine with the 9ish hours of light they get that way.
You don't have to justify your use of light to me. I was only stating my preference.
Edited for clarity.

 

[luvmygirlsinAK]

Quote:
Sorry, Gritstar, (not trying to argue at all, please don't look at it that way- just have a different opinion than you, which is just fine with me

) but even if I did have only 8 hours of daylight here, I would still supplement, and maybe this comes from having been raised in Alaska, but I believe God made the chickens to produce eggs for us to eat (as well as to provide meat to eat

) and just like we hunt for a moose or fish for salmon, they are there for our use. My chickens are very spoiled, and love to be up with the light, supplemented or no. If someone out there needs to supplement the light for more eggs, no problem! If they make the choice to leave them in the dark, they can! And however much I think people in our area should supplement light, It wouldn't be right for me to condemn them if they didn't have the money to keep supplemental light in their coop, you do what you have to when times are tough.

We have 8 people in our house including my mom and handicapped brother, and we need our eggs, just like we need that moose that's in the freezer. I am sure there are many out there who have just as great a need to have their eggs, and supplemental light helps produce more for them, given the type of chicken, etc., and as far as having a heater in their coop, if that helps with egg production for that person, and it is cheaper for them to use a little extra heat than to feed their chickens far more food in the winter, they shouldn't feel bad that they use heat. While you and I haven't always seen eye to eye on everything,

you have given lot's of fantastic information on BYC, on many posts, and I have really appreciated your input and the wisdom you have from taking care of chickens. You obviously love your chickens and take care of them with every ounce of love you have for them just like I do!!

 

[thedeacon]

Thelight should be on in the morning. If the chicks are outside during the day, they will head to the roost when it starts to get dark and the day is over. Extra light in the morning, gets them up, eating and drinking and laying. Then when light enough, will go outside.