Let there be light

[Ozz]

As we moved into winter, I did not have supplemental lighting. Egg production quit entirely about six weeks ago. We had some predation problems that have been solved, without incident for two weeks. I thought that was the main issue, but I’ve been informed light duration Might have been the main problem. I have added adequate lighting and have a 17 hour light cycle, About how long until I should start seeing eggs?

 

[MountainWoman73]

Couple of weeks? If they're still molting you just have to wait for them to finish, but the light will definitely help. How old are your birds?

 

[Logar]

problem. I have added adequate lighting and have a 17 hour light cycle

That is way too long in my opinion. I don’t provide any lighting and don’t plan on ever as my chickens are pets and I don’t mind them getting a break but I did look into it a lot before coming to that decision. I would switch it back to 14 hours. That seems to be the ideal length.

About how long until I should start seeing eggs?

It could be a couple weeks depending on how long they have been done molting for

 

[Ozz]

Couple of weeks? If they're still molting you just have to wait for them to finish, but the light will definitely help. How old are your birds?

Thank you for your response. Three of the birds are about 18 months and four of the birds are not quite a year.

 

[Ozz]

That is way too long in my opinion. I don’t provide any lighting and don’t plan on ever as my chickens are pets and I don’t mind them getting a break but I did look into it a lot before coming to that decision. I would switch it back to 14 hours. That seems to be the ideal length.

It could be a couple weeks depending on how long they have been done molting for

I will change my timer to the 14 hours that you suggest. Thanks

 

[Apis mellifera]

14 to 16 hrs. of light is recommended for best production. 17 hrs. wouldn't be a problem.

 

[Ozz]

Couple of weeks? If they're still molting you just have to wait for them to finish, but the light will definitely help. How old are your birds?

Three of them are 18 months four of them are 8 to 9 months. Thanks for your response.

 

[Ozz]

14 to 16 hrs. of light is recommended for best production. 17 hrs. wouldn't be a problem.

Thank you for your response. I think I’ll cut it back to 16 hours.

 

[MountainWoman73]

Three of them are 18 months four of them are 8 to 9 months. Thanks for your response.

Okay. They're all nice and young. They should be back online soon.

Mine did the same thing to me a couple months ago. 1 egg a day from 15 laying birds, most of them a year old. I let them have a break for about a month and then put lights on and now we're back to 8-10 eggs a day.

 

[Ozz]

Okay. They're all nice and young. They should be back online soon.

Mine did the same thing to me a couple months ago. 1 egg a day from 15 laying birds, most of them a year old. I let them have a break for about a month and then put lights on and now we're back to 8-10 eggs a day.

Thanks