The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer.
If you’re a backyard chicken keeper, maybe your flock is going through their molt, or their egg production is going down with the shorter days. A chicken’s egg production slows depending on the amount of light they are getting during the day.
In the fall and winter, there is less natural light causing egg production to slow down. If you want to encourage egg production, you will need to provide a light source to ensure your chickens are getting between 12 to 16 hours of light a day.
This can be done simply by suspending or clamping a light fixture with a light bulb, like the example below, exactly where you want to in the coop. You can also set a timer so the light comes on and turns off within the 12 to 16 hour time frame.
Note: Only use a light bulb—not a heat bulb—when providing a supplemental light source for egg production.
Coop Clamp Light
My girls are getting some extra light right now to keep the eggs coming. I will gradually decrease their light exposure as time goes on to give their sweet fluffy bodies a break. Either is fine and no one way of doing it is right or wrong. Do what you feel is best for your flock as far as lighting and egg production goes!
Don’t forget to check out these past posts:
Cover image courtesy of Backyard Chicken Project