Winter Hen House Lighting

[darran91]

Hi,
I have just bought 2 light sussex and am getting 4 hybrid when they arrive.
I have done a lot of reading on the net and its seems a 50/50 split as to whertehr lighting is required during the long dark nights.
The hens are in an allotment so it would have to be a 12v system. I have seen one on the net which is all singing and dancing but its £95.00. It also dims the light slowly so the hens know its time for bed. http://www.roosterbooster.co.uk/, any views would be helpful, or if you know of something similar at a more reaqsonable price!!!
Thanks
Darran91

[vivie veg]

Hi,

I enquired a few months back about this system, but got no replies.

I have since sorted out a system using a 12V Timer connected to a Lorry's reversing lamp with a 100 Amp hour Leisure battery. Currently it requires charging every 10 days, but I only have it on for 5 hours per day. I am thinking of changing the light bulb to an LED which give more light for less electricity, so the battery should last longer between charges.

I bought the timer from Ascott Smallholding Supplies

http://www.ascott.biz/item1266.htm

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[gloworm]

I let my hens go off lay about this time of year, and they start to lay again in January. I don't give them artificial light, like to give them a rest

[John]

Well said Gloworm.
I can't agree with you more. The girls need a good well-deserved rest at this time year after summer's egg-laying and their autumn moult, so that they can get back into good condition to do it all over again next year! It seems a a bit unkind to trick them back into laying with extra hours of light just for the sake of a few eggs.
You don't say Darran how old you think your birds are but if they are young and came into lay late in the year they may carry on producing eggs well into winter.

John

[Chantal]

I've had chickens for over 12 years now and have never bothered to light their chicken shed. They've all laid right throught the winter, less than the summer, but laid at least 3 eggs per week. I too am all in favour of letting them rest during the winter months and letting nature take it's course.

[gloworm]

Commercial poultry farmers light up their flocks to get max production for a year then dispose of them, I don't think there is any need for domestic keepers to do this.

[darran91]

Sorry for the delay in replying and thanks for the advise. The hens were about 18 weeks sold as point of lay (still no eggs!) I am all for them having arest but thought they were suppost to have extra light to help them. When do you think i can expect eggs and what do you give them as treats? I have layer pellets which they were fed with where i bought the hens, but have tried corn and bread but they just turned their beak up at this... any ideas?

[vivie veg]

Hi Darren,
Point of lay refers to the age of the pullets (16 to 20 weeks) and not their readiness for egg laying

Generally you would get eggs from 18 to 22 weeks depending on how well grown they are (commercial growers tend to slow down the rate of growth to ensure a better size egg when they first start lay, but other may rear with ad lib feeding and the birds grow faster and start to lay younger). The first two or three weeks you will get small and irregular eggs with maybe double yokers.

However, chickens are VERY light dependent, so you are unlikely to get them to start laying now without artificial lighting.

As winter is rapidely approaching I would suggest your 'dark' period should be 5pm to 2am, this will give your girls 9 hours sleep per night and get egg laying over and done with before you open them up in the morning.

Ideally they should get their layers pellets as early as possible each day (as this will be converted into that day's egg) and their corn at night, but if they are not used to corn or if layers pellets are available ad lib they may turn their noses up at the corn. Also BEWARE of overfeeding your chickens, as fat birds do not lay eggs.

I hope you get enough for an omlette soon

[John]

Hello Darren
I wouldn't worry too much about starting your hens into lay. With the short days now their egg laying is going to be delayed. This is a very good thing. It gives the birds more time to grow on and mature. You'll get better, stronger birds that will eventually reward you with bigger and better eggs.
My hens have layers pellets always available in a feeder during the day and get thrown a scratch feed of wheat in the late afternoon. They get veg scraps from the kitchen about lunch time and they are free to roam about the bottom of the garden all day. Any spare cabbage plants and chickweed are big favourites. The evening feed of wheat is a good thing in the winter as it helps them through the long nights.
As Vivie says, beware of them getting fat as they won't lay so well then.

John

PS When you mention 'corn' do you mean wheat? Corn as in maize is not a good idea, the birds will soon get fat. Poultry corn, a mix of maize and wheat is OK though if you can't get wheat.

[beeman2]

My 6 Black Rocks started to lay on September 3rd,they are laying like the clappers now,on two days this week they layed 5 eggs and never seem to lay less than 3.So keep your fingers crossed. Regards Beeman