Supplemental Lighting To Increase Chicken Egg Production

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Supplemental lighting for chicken egg production can help increase the number of eggs laid by your chickens, especially during the shorter days of winter. In this article, we'll discuss the benefits of supplemental lighting and how to implement it in your coop.

1. Increased egg production: By providing chickens with additional light during the shorter days of winter, egg production can be increased by up to 20%. This is because chickens are naturally triggered to lay eggs by the length of daylight.

2. Improved egg quality: Supplementing with light can also improve the quality of eggs, by providing chickens with the necessary light to produce vitamin D, which is essential for strong shells.

3. Timing: The best time to provide supplemental lighting is during the early morning or late afternoon when daylight is limited. The lights should be on for about 14-16 hours per day.

4. Types of lights: A variety of lights can be used for supplemental lighting, including incandescent, fluorescent, and LED lights. LED lights are more energy-efficient and last longer than other types of lights.

5. Placement: Lights should be placed in a central location in the coop, so all chickens have access to them. Also, they should be placed at a height that allows the chickens to move freely underneath them.

6. Safety: It's important to consider the safety of the chickens when using supplemental lighting. The lights should be protected from moisture and placed in a way that prevents the chickens from coming into contact with them.

In conclusion, Supplemental lighting can be a valuable tool for increasing egg production and improving egg quality in chickens, particularly during the shorter days of winter. By providing chickens with additional light during the early morning or late afternoon, egg production can be increased, and the quality of eggs can be improved. It's important to consider the safety of the chickens when using supplemental lighting, and to ensure the lights are placed in a way that allows the chickens to move freely underneath them.