Winter Lighting

[Erikdaviking]

This is my first year raising chickens, and we're heading into winter soon with shorter days. I would like to keep getting eggs through the winter, and I've learned that the birds will stop laying as the days get shorter. I'm planning on putting in a light to extend the day so they keep producing. I don't have power to the coop and don't want to run it out there...I found some lights on Amazon that run off a solar panel, relatively inexpensive ($40 or so), the solar panel mounts outside and the light in the coop...They are pretty simple, the turn on at dark and off at dawn. Thats my concern...I am going to keep a pretty dim light in them, in the neighborhood of the equivalent of a 40W bulb. Will it be harmful for the girls to have the light on all night? Is that too much light? I don't want to harm them by interrupting the sleep pattern. Being 24V LEDs, its not easy to put a timer on them.

Thanks!

 

[DobieLover]

This is my first year raising chickens, and we're heading into winter soon with shorter days. I would like to keep getting eggs through the winter, and I've learned that the birds will stop laying as the days get shorter. I'm planning on putting in a light to extend the day so they keep producing. I don't have power to the coop and don't want to run it out there...I found some lights on Amazon that run off a solar panel, relatively inexpensive ($40 or so), the solar panel mounts outside and the light in the coop...They are pretty simple, the turn on at dark and off at dawn. Thats my concern...I am going to keep a pretty dim light in them, in the neighborhood of the equivalent of a 40W bulb. Will it be harmful for the girls to have the light on all night? Is that too much light? I don't want to harm them by interrupting the sleep pattern. Being 24V LEDs, its not easy to put a timer on them.

Thanks!

If this is your first year keeping chickens and you got them as chicks they will keep laying throughout the winter as they are pullets.
I would not want a light on all night long for the very reason you mention.
Additionally, I am not a fan of artificially extending the day length to keep the chickens laying as the hens will molt each fall and take a break from laying. I feel they need that break to stay healthy.

 

[Thechicksdigme]

This is my first time with chickens and I was considering supplying artificial light in the winter. I decided against it since it is natural for them to take a break from laying. I think it is healthier for them.

 

[Chicalina]

what breed are they?

 

[Acre4Me]

Lighting through the winter is fine. However, you should never expose them to 24/7 light. There is a pineal gland in their head that senses light, so even a blind chicken will respond to light. Because this gland would be picking up the light, it will negatively impact them to be exposed to 24/7 light.

you need a timer, so that light is on/off consistently and you can adjust as days get shorter/longer.

Generally, the intensity of light needed is enogh light that you could read something inside the coop. Is 40w enough? Maybe. We use 60-75 w in ours.

no electric. Solar can work, but what about snow cover. Is there a back up outdoor battery, that will work in winter temps where you are?

first year pullets generally lay in winter, however, my heritage breeds will slow down, even with light. But, we still get some eggs. Production layers are more reliable.

to address “chickens need a break”. They get one when they molt. In addition, chickens near the equator get consistent light per day, year round, and so they lay except for molting. And they are healthy, just the same.

 

[Erikdaviking]

what breed are they?

Mostly Barred Rock, with a couple Conchins and Sex Links...

 

[thepick4uchicks]

Lighting through the winter is fine. However, you should never expose them to 24/7 light. There is a pineal gland in their head that senses light, so even a blind chicken will respond to light. Because this gland would be picking up the light, it will negatively impact them to be exposed to 24/7 light.

you need a timer, so that light is on/off consistently and you can adjust as days get shorter/longer.

Generally, the intensity of light needed is enogh light that you could read something inside the coop. Is 40w enough? Maybe. We use 60-75 w in ours.

no electric. Solar can work, but what about snow cover. Is there a back up outdoor battery, that will work in winter temps where you are?

first year pullets generally lay in winter, however, my heritage breeds will slow down, even with light. But, we still get some eggs. Production layers are more reliable.

to address “chickens need a break”. They get one when they molt. In addition, chickens near the equator get consistent light per day, year round, and so they lay except for molting. And they are healthy, just the same.

Thanks for taking the time to explain in such detail. I as a newbie with a fairly young flock appreciate it. Mine are 17 weeks today so I appreciate the input and advice on the lighting. I am not going to put a light in our coop or influence mine artificially but it is good to understand the information and how the chickens anatomy works. Thank you

 

[Acre4Me]

Mostly Barred Rock, with a couple Conchins and Sex Links...

your sex links and barred rocks should be pretty reliable this winter for you. Not sure about Cochins...I don’t think they are fantastic layers, but should still lay for you.

 

[Chicalina]

Mostly Barred Rock, with a couple Conchins and Sex Links...

I would second the advice about not lighting, esp since you are not proposing to just extend the daylight by a few hours, but to eliminate the dark hours altogether.

Your rocks and sex links in particular (don't know about cochins) are bred to produce eggs eggs and more eggs. They will already live a shorter life because of this. You will shorten their lives even more by not giving them any respite during the winter months. Basically, the egg laying wears out their bodies quicker than with hens that lay less. So you might get the same number of eggs over their lifetime as say a heritage breed, but they will die sooner and often from a reproductive problem. That is my general experience anyway, though there are always exceptions.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

I would second the advice about not lighting, esp since you are not proposing to just extend the daylight by a few hours, but to eliminate the dark hours altogether.

Your rocks and sex links in particular (don't know about cochins) are bred to produce eggs eggs and more eggs. They will already live a shorter life because of this. You will shorten their lives even more by not giving them any respite during the winter months. Basically, the egg laying wears out their bodies quicker than with hens that lay less. So you might get the same number of eggs over their lifetime as say a heritage breed, but they will die sooner and often from a reproductive problem. That is my general experience anyway, though there are always exceptions.

OMG that doesn’t sound good