DOES THE CHICKEN COOP NEED A LIGHT?
Many poultry owners wonder if their flocks require lights in their coops when night falls. This issue has even more significance in the winter, when the days are shorter and the nights are darker and you could only see 8 hours of daylight each day. The reality is that although your chickens' health and contentment are unaffected by lack of light, egg production is.
Egg-laying in your feathery pals will slow down if they aren't receiving enough light. This is evident from the fact that most breeds produce more eggs in the light-filled summer than in the gloomy winter. So the best method to get eggs all year round is to install artificial lighting to your chicken coop, right?
The fact is that adding light to your coop has both advantages and disadvantages.
Continue reading this essay now so that you will be able to make the best decision for your flock.
Increase Egg Production: 3 Reasons to Add Lighting to Your Chicken Coops
To produce eggs, your hens need 12 to 14 hours of sunshine each day. Your hen's ability to lay eggs will be impacted by the short amount of daylight we get throughout the winter in the UK (8–10 hours each day). The yearly moult of your chicken causes egg production to slow down throughout the fall and winter, but inadequate lighting still has a significant influence.
In order to keep their chickens producing eggs throughout the winter, chicken owners might utilize extra lighting. Dark evenings may be easily fixed by installing a light in your chicken coop. However, your chickens shouldn't be exposed to light 24 hours a day, much like people. Your hens will sleep soundly at night with the light on a timer, and you'll wake up to a warm basket of eggs in the chicken coop.
Keep your hens cozy and warm.
Everyone is familiar with the sensation of rising from a warm bed in the cold. Despite the additional protection provided by their feathers, your hens may still feel chilly and uncomfortable in their coop when it is below freezing. In addition to boosting egg production, lighting up your chickens' coop will also keep them warm on chilly winter nights.
Even though the light won't be on entire night, your hens will appreciate the extra comfort. Of course, you should still carry out the appropriate preparations in the coop. Add more layers of wood shavings to the floor, insulate the coop by covering it with a blanket, and check that all the hens are snoozing in the same box.
RAISED VISIBILITY
You will benefit from adding light to your chicken coop in addition to your chickens! You could be awake before dawn if you get up early to take care of your chickens. It's difficult to do your routine chores around the chicken coop in the dark. You may go to sleep knowing that even in the darkest winter mornings, you will be able to see well around the coop when the light is set on a timer.
You don't need to be concerned about accidental water overflows or feed spills. Even the most seasoned chicken keepers will find a well-lit chicken coop to be considerably more practical. It is safer for you and your birds to do early duties when there is enough illumination. You may concentrate on taking care of your chickens without having to worry about any trip dangers that the darkness could conceal.
DO YOU NEED TO INCLUDE LIGHT IN YOUR CHICKEN COOP?
Do your hens' coops need lighting? No, is the response. No, as long as you keep your hens warm and cozy throughout the colder months, they will remain content and healthy throughout the winter.
However, due to the absence of sunshine in the fall and winter and their normal egg-laying cycle, their egg production will decrease. As a result, your chicken coop has to be equipped with artificial lighting if you want to keep your chickens producing eggs all year round.
Many owners decide against it since their hens don't need artificial lighting in their coop. Here are a few reasons why some chicken coop owners decide against using artificial lighting.
Possible health issues Some people worry that forcing chickens to produce eggs year-round may result in a number of health issues, including ovarian cancer. The exact consequences of letting your hens produce eggs throughout the year are unclear, however, since research is conflicting in this area.
Stress is Caused by Variable Light Levels - Your chickens could get stressed if the light intensity isn't constant. Whether or whether you decide to add artificial lighting to your coop, you must make sure that the lighting is constant throughout the day. Occasionally using artificial light will simply make the birds anxious.
Possible Risk: The chickens might damage the glass if the light bulb is not put out of the birds' reach. To lower the possibility of mishaps, install the artificial lighting in the coop's ceiling.
SELECTION OF THE CORRECT LIGHT BULB
Knowing the kind of bulb to use is crucial if you decide to use artificial lighting in your chicken coop. Incandescent bulbs are a great alternative since they are simple to maintain, even in dusty settings like chicken coops. A dimmer switch may also be used to change the light's intensity. LED lights are a more costly option, but they are also a reliable and non-toxic addition to your chicken coop. Teflon-coated bulbs must be avoided since they release poisonous vapors that are detrimental to your hens.
COPPER CHICKEN COOPS
In order to keep your chickens content and healthy, a cozy chicken coop is necessary. Contact Cocoon Chicken Coops right now to give your hens a place to call home that you can both be proud of. Call our helpful staff at 0845 873 0253, or fill out an inquiry form on our contact page.
