Peter Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 I have installed a light in the coop to extend the day light to 15hrs. The light comes on at 4am until 9am then daylight takes over. I will have to see how they are in the morning. The local nursery school were looking over the wall at the ladies so I let them stroke them and feed them. The carers were so please. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 We tried that Peter but found that the mess in the coop wasn't worth the trouble for the extra eggs. Water spilled and full of shavings, feed knocked over and all the bedding scratched and messed. Problem is a coop is too small an area for chickens to be active in it. We were also told that the hens must have a 'laying break' of at least two weeks anyway, otherwise their health suffers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 1 hour ago, Beantree said: We tried that Peter but found that the mess in the coop wasn't worth the trouble for the extra eggs. Water spilled and full of shavings, feed knocked over and all the bedding scratched and messed. Problem is a coop is too small an area for chickens to be active in it. We were also told that the hens must have a 'laying break' of at least two weeks anyway, otherwise their health suffers. Exactly. Extending 'light hours' causes them a lot of stress, much as you find in battery situations. They are designed to take advantage of the shorter hours to lay less or stop laying, moult and get a rest. Try to keep their habits as natural as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted September 20, 2019 Author Share Posted September 20, 2019 I have noted that there egg laying has reduced so yes I will have to give them a rest. I did not get them totally for the eggs, it was the best pet that suited my life stile, like going on holidays. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 1 hour ago, Peter said: have noted that there egg laying has reduced so yes I will have to give them a rest. Good decision Peter - it’ll be much better for them to stick with natural daylight rhythms. They do look like jolly healthy girls in your other photo though. I bet the children next door love them 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel84 Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 Both of my Copper Black Marans have given up for this year already (more or less on the same day as each other too) - normally start again March time. Gladys will wait for the weather to be really cold, then moult and stop laying for winter 🙄Hopefully my new 3 will continue to lay over winter occasionally! I just accept it as a part of chicken keeping and try to have a few different breeds to ensure I get the odd egg over winter but certainly not on a daily basis! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 I see that Omlet is advertising a in-coop light I shan't waste my breath repeating what I have said above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 2 hours ago, The Dogmother said: I see that Omlet is advertising a in-coop light I shan't waste my breath repeating what I have said above. Same reaction here... 🤨 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 I’ve just had a look at it - I was going to email them to complain - but it looks like it’s only to use with the automatic door and turns off when the door closes (although it does say you can manually turn it on if you want to check in them). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 I didn't look that closely at the details - my patience is wearing thin today as it is I am guessing that they are using it to entice the birds in before the door closes automatically... probably because of all the problems there have been with automatic doors leaving birds outside when thy close. Personally (and it's just my choice) I wouldn't bother with automatic doors on a coop... there have been too many problems with them. I am as sure as I can be that my runs are secure, so I don't close the cube doors at night unless it is REALLY cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted November 15, 2019 Author Share Posted November 15, 2019 Dear The Dogmother, You said your run is secure and I believe is will be but a lot of people say their run is secure with chicken wire which is not so as chicken wire is for keeping chickens in not foxes out as many people think so. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted November 15, 2019 Share Posted November 15, 2019 Don’t worry Peter, Dogmother will be the last person on earth using chickenwire! I’m sure her chicken enclosures could teach Ford Nox a thing or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 15, 2019 Share Posted November 15, 2019 1 hour ago, Cat tails said: Don’t worry Peter, Dogmother will be the last person on earth using chickenwire! I’m sure her chicken enclosures could teach Ford Nox a thing or two. Absolutely!!!!! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 16, 2019 Share Posted November 16, 2019 No point in closing mine. They perch outside in the run unless there’s a howling gale, or it’s below - 6! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 17, 2019 Share Posted November 17, 2019 Patricia that’s made me feel better - one of my Dutch Bantams has taken to sleeping on a perch in the run and I worry that she might be cold- the coldest night we’ve had since she’s been doing it is 3 degrees so I guess she’ll be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 17, 2019 Share Posted November 17, 2019 (edited) Bantams naturally like to perch high. Madonna has done it for 7 years and is as fit as a fiddle! They can go in and do when they feel the need. Edited November 17, 2019 by Patricia W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted November 17, 2019 Share Posted November 17, 2019 Each to their own and they will do what they want to and what feels comfortable in spite of 'advice' to the contrary......................much like teenagers😆. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
