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[Ashmeads Kernel]

I bought a Cube in May this year for 6 Novo Browns. As I understand the chicks reduce their laying in the winter months. Does anyone install a Solar coup light that would give low illumination to aid winter laying.

 

I have looked at Amazon and found two extremes. For under £9.99 I can get Garden kraft 15440 Benross 50 LED Solar String Lights for http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garden-15440-Benross-String-Lights/dp/B00IFF9JI6/ref=sr_1_32?s=outdoors&ie=UTF8&qid=1412758111&sr=1-32&keywords=solar+chicken+lights. These look cheap and nasty.

 

For £149 i find Solar 24W Hen House / Chicken Coop 12V LED Lighting Kit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solar-House-Chicken-Coop-Lighting/dp/B00H82MK5G/ref=sr_1_27?s=outdoors&ie=UTF8&qid=1412758111&sr=1-27&keywords=solar+chicken+lights. This is way to expensive.

 

Any thoughts please?

 

Andrew

[Beantree]

I don't like to force chickens to lay over Winter Ashmeads. We tried a light in the coop once running off a 12V battery on a timer, so that they wake up early. If the light goes off at night they can't find the perches, which it will do with a solar unit. Anyway the whole exercise ended up with water, feed and bedding all over the place. The effort cleaning up didn't warrant the extra eggs.

[mollyripkim]

Personally I wouldn't do that with mine, all bantams of various ages, just to give them a rest from laying over the winter. But mine are really pets and any eggs are a bonus.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

To be honest, I've never noticed any decrease in egg laying over the winter although mine are generally hybrids which might explain it.