How long after introducing artificial light will they begin laying aga

[eastercreek]

We are in NW Louisiana...not really even Fall yet...ut we have had a couple of exceptionally cool nights...we were 95 degrees a couple of weeks ago and have gone down to upper 30's twice in past week. We added artificial light in coop last Friday so they are getting at least 14 good hours of light. Out of 8 hens..we were getting about 5 eggs a day and then all of a sudden none.....we have checked for snakes and other outside influences and have seen no evidence of anything...these hens were all hatched in early 2011...so they just started laying regularly about 2 months ago. How long with the artificial light can we anticipate before we get an egg from at least one of them/

 

[LarryPQ]

It could take a few weeks, or maybe the light won't have any effect. You never can tell

 

[brghtii]

This is my first "fall" with chickens so I am wondering what kind of light are you using? When I got up this morning it was 20 degrees. It will get colder here (Utah). I am not sure if I should heat the coop or just do light to get them laying more. I have about 20 chickens and only got 6 eggs today.

I would like to get eggs (more than 6) for all the feed I will have to buy.

 

[LarryPQ]

They need light, not heat. ~14 hours to keep them at top production.

I use solar-powered led christmas lights. They run out of power at just the right time.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Don't pay all that much attention to the temperatures. We've had shortening days since last June 22. The days won't grow any longer until December 22.

I'd be curious as well as to what kind of light? Do you think it makes a difference whether you use Day Light, Bright White or Soft White bulbs? Each of those types emit a different kind of light.

 

[blondebarnbabe]

I finally got electricity in our new hen house; now I'd like to know if anyone knows the answer to Fred's Hen's question about using soft white bulbs v. those twisty energy-saving, etc. Thanks!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Actually, both mini flors and the older style incandescents come in all three kinds of "light".