Drstratton - My Backyard Journey Journal

[drstratton]

OMG -- I've thought of a light - but never thought of using it for only a short time. Hmmmm - maybe next year I'll get one in, in time to keep eggs coming for Christmas baking. You are brilliant!

I should have had more hours in the morning than late, I was just told, that could make a difference. But I've never had them quit laying before I've turned it off. I thought I had a good mix of time. So, I will try to remember that next season.

 

[farmerjan]

If you are going to do lights; use a cheap timer... have them come on early in them morning. like 4 a.m. and go off at 8 or so... This way, the chickens get up early, and go to roost naturally in the evenings. 12 hours is the average for good production... You do not want the lights to extend the day in the evening, as they will not go to roost easily, and when it goes off, they will not be on the roost and it will actually cause them to be disoriented...

 

[drstratton]

If you are going to do lights; use a cheap timer... have them come on early in them morning. like 4 a.m. and go off at 8 or so... This way, the chickens get up early, and go to roost naturally in the evenings. 12 hours is the average for good production... You do not want the lights to extend the day in the evening, as they will not go to roost easily, and when it goes off, they will not be on the roost and it will actually cause them to be disoriented...

Thank you Jan. I do have a timer setup for 12 hours. Good point on the late evening light. I will adjust accordingly and start to wean them off of it for the winter.

 

[farmerjan]

Thank you Jan. I do have a timer setup for 12 hours. Good point on the late evening light. I will adjust accordingly and start to wean them off of it for the winter.

I meant for the light to go off at about 8 a.m. ....Just 4 hours of good light in the morning, then they will get about 6-8 more hours of natural daylight... "go to bed" naturally at dusk.

 

[Mini Horses]

Do not use a Teflon coated light. Puts off gases that'll kill them.

 

[drstratton]

I meant for the light to go off at about 8 a.m. ....Just 4 hours of good light in the morning, then they will get about 6-8 more hours of natural daylight... "go to bed" naturally at dusk.

Ok, gotcha thank you Jan! That will be much better.
We're down to about 9 hours of daylight right now. Winter solstice we'll be at 8...yuck.

 

[drstratton]

Do not use a Teflon coated light. Puts off gases that'll kill them.

Thank you.! I didn't know there was such a thing. I will watch out for that. Sounds like those should be avoided for any use. Pretty sure I have an incandescent bulb out there right now.