Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
If you're not always home on time to flip the switch, set up a timer on your coop's light.
Mine automatically flips on at 4 () in the winter, so even if I'm late at the office, I pull in-
to the driveway to see the henhouse light already on. If you have a timer, you also won't
forget to turn the lights of. Your flock needs a good night's rest, and the girls won't sleep
as well under glaring lights.
You can use either incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs are less expens-
ive to run and, since they use less power, are more eco-friendly, but be sure that you get
the ones labeled “soft white.” Counterintuitively, fluorescent bulbs labeled “daylight,”
imitating the appearance of sunlight, have a cooler color temperature and will not stim-
ulate a chicken's reproductive system.
If an electrical socket is not an option in your coop, you can set up a relatively inexpens-
ive solar electric system like the ones commonly available for RVs. Look for a solar-
charged battery powering a 12-volt light.
Chick Diary
Thedisadvantageofalightweight,portablecoopisthatitdoesn'tofferenoughpro-
tection against the very cold winters we have in the Northeast. During the coldest
months, we keep our coop in the garage, which shelters the chicken run and keeps
the girls warm. I lay down a heavy-duty tarp to protect the garage floor and add
a deep layer of straw to absorb the manure. I muck out the coop once a week and
put in fresh litter. The old, soaked straw makes premium compost.
Greedy for greens now that there is a lack of forage
To keep your hens laying eggs through the winter, supplement daylight with artificial
light .
Search WWH ::




Custom Search