Fred's Fine Fowl
09-22-2008, 01:50 PM
If you intend to have your birds continue to lay during winter months, you may want to add a light on a timer.
Chickens lay during daylight and generally require 14 to 15 hours of light per day. As days grow shorter, the hens genetic response is to shut down reproduction through winter.
With a light on a timer, you can maintain 15 hours of light per day and keep your birds laying. It doesn't take a bright light, one compact flourescent will do the trick (make sure it's rated for outdoor use).
Have your light come on in the morning, rather than extend the day into night. This prevents your birds from being surprised by a sudden "lights-out" situation. They need time to wind down at the end of the day and get up on their perches.
If you do nothing, adding no additional light, then a hen shuts down and re-generates her reproductive system through the winter months, laying again when the days grow long enough. In nature, this of course would result in spring chicks!
Chickens lay during daylight and generally require 14 to 15 hours of light per day. As days grow shorter, the hens genetic response is to shut down reproduction through winter.
With a light on a timer, you can maintain 15 hours of light per day and keep your birds laying. It doesn't take a bright light, one compact flourescent will do the trick (make sure it's rated for outdoor use).
Have your light come on in the morning, rather than extend the day into night. This prevents your birds from being surprised by a sudden "lights-out" situation. They need time to wind down at the end of the day and get up on their perches.
If you do nothing, adding no additional light, then a hen shuts down and re-generates her reproductive system through the winter months, laying again when the days grow long enough. In nature, this of course would result in spring chicks!