Day 179
With winter on the way and the girl’s egg numbers rising, we wanted to keep the momentum going. We knew that traditionally, chickens don't lay as much as in winter because they are somewhat dependent on many hours of light. In Wisconsin, there are often long stretches of minimal light during the day and night often from around 4PM to 8AM at its height. We knew this could pose a problem so we decided to be proactive and see what we could do to minimize the daylight decrease.
First, we installed a few solar lights on the side of the barn. These tiny panels stored up light energy during the day and could be turned on after sunset to extend the daylight. In our research, we found multiple sources that said the girls didn't need a ton of light, but just some light to stay on a more productive laying cycle.
Secondly, knowing that the solar panels won’t capture and store light energy on winter days that are overcast, we had a backup plan. We strung a set of holiday lights that went the length of the entire coop. We connected the light to a timer that activated the lights as the sun went down, extending the daylight six more hours.
Our solar lights and holiday string not only gave our girls a more festive coop, it helped keep our egg totals consistent. In the coldest and darkest time of the year, we were still getting more than enough eggs.
As spring approached and the sun stayed out longer, we ended up relying more on the solar lights and lowered the amount of times the timer turned on the holiday lights. Eventually, we disconnected the timer and relied solely on the solar lights and Mother Nature.
Having chickens has really taught us new skills and responsibilities. It has tested our ingenuity, piqued our curiosity, and reinforced our commitment to this new adventure.
It has also provided some leisure and fun. We enjoy hanging watching the chickens and sometimes just sitting and watching them do their chicken thing. It also doesn't hurt that we can use their eggs for a reliable source of food and others.
