[richyrich7]

Does lighting hens over the winter to increase egg production have any adverse effects on hens? does it burn them out as it where, any ideas ?

[Aunt Sally]

Lighting hens is very cruel Richy. Does it burn them out ?  Of cause it does - it will burn their feathers right of   :shock:  

Can't you think of another way to keep them warm  

[Ice]

   

[richyrich7]

Lighting hens is very cruel Richy. Does it burn them out ?  Of cause it does - it will burn their feathers right of   :shock:  

Can't you think of another way to keep them warm  

       put them in the oven ?

[Aunt Sally]

Ohh... Naughty step for you Richy.  Can't you be serious for a moment  

But I do believe that 14 hours light per day is optimum for laying,  I don't know if it would shorten their lives but my guess is that it would.

[richyrich7]

Ohh... Naughty step for you Richy.

YESSSS  at last !!

Can't you be serious for a moment  

Rarely

But I do believe that 14 hours light per day is optimum for laying,  I don't know if it would shorten their lives but my guess is that it would.

 

Thought it might just wondering if I subject my next batch to it. Perhaps I just need more hens  

[Aunt Sally]

I belive in keeping their life as natural as possible.  Light costs money and my chooks layed well all through last winter with natural daylight !

[richyrich7]

I think you are right Aunty they will certainly be happier I would have thought.  I have been looking at breeds that are supposed to be good layers over winter.

[GrannieAnnie]

I agree with Aunty Richy, my ex batts got enough of too long days, trying to extract too many eggs out of them!  Its probably why they are burnt out now at only 2 years old poor little mites.  They now live as natural a life as possible for whatever time they have left.