Quail and holiday decorating (providing supplemental light)

[Susan Skylark]

I’m still in my first year of quail keeping and have yet to overwinter the little buggers. We’ve just passed the fall equinox and will be losing a ton of daylight from here on out. I’ve been turning on the garage light to keep them laying but sometimes I forget or we’re gone for a day or evening, I’ve read online (obviously correct) that you can use Christmas lights on a timer (red or white being best color), is this true? How much supplemental lighting do they need (14 hours of light needed but what intensity?)? Thanks!

 

[Nabiki]

I've had good luck with the equivalent of a 60 watt bulb. I use LEDs and try to use warm light, slightly yellow rather than pure white.

 

[Susan Skylark]

The research I’ve read says red light is best but white (as it contains the whole spectrum) is fine, yellow/orange/warm white would also be in the neighborhood, thanks!