There are a couple side effects of having a heat lamp with a red bulb in the girls’ roost box for warmth.
1. They’re party girls – up until all hours of the night
2. When they get really brave they even venture out into the run in the strange reddish light
3. We’re starting to get eggs again, and will get one or two a day until spring
Of course, I can’t figure out who’s laying the eggs as they’re not a color or shell finish that I recognize. They don’t belong to Maisie as she’s still a couple weeks away from starting to lay. They’re not Lucy’s even though they’re almost the right color. They don’t belong to Agnes or Penny. And I’m pretty sure that they’re too big to be Danny’s even though I expect her to start laying any day now.
So that leaves Pru. But they’re pinker than the eggs she layed last spring and early summer. Hmmm. Mystery eggs. I hope that they are in fact hers as it would be nice to have her start paying rent again. Oh well, I get they’ll taste good anyway.
I know that some people disagree with giving hens a light during the winter as it can potentially shorten their lives. But I feel that it’s okay as long as I make sure they have plenty of calories and calcium to support them in their efforts.
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I’m headed out early tomorrow morning to go see my family. My grandmother is still holding her own, although mentally she’s not quite there. Her children are respecting her longstanding aversion to Western medicine and wishes for no medical intervention, so it’s hard to know what’s really happening or what the future holds. Thank you again to all of you for your prayers and well wishes.
As I’ll be traveling home on Sunday, Anita (Married with Dinner) has graciously offered to help me out by posting the recap. So stay tuned for her guest appearance – I can’t wait to read about what everyone’s been up to!
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I haven’t given my hens any extra light, but they’re still laying. Mine are still pretty young, though. So, that may be it ….
Have a safe journey.
I gave my hens light last year due to the below 0 temps. They ended up pecking each others butt freathers. Boredom? Sometimes their skin too. Gross. The feathers finally grew back this fall. Bald butted chickens all summer. I want to find out a way to give them a little heat without the light. Any tips?
Michelle, my condolances on your naked ass chickens (couldn’t resist). Yeah, the problem with the light is that they stay up, so Penny, who just finished growing in new feathers, got pooped on last week and promptly chewed off the ends of all the feathers for a 1″x6″ strip on her back. Boy does she look sad and pathetic.
Are you using a red bulb? I’ve had a lot better luck with red than clear. If that’s not working for you, you can also buy a ceramic “bulb” for your heat lamp fixture. Works just like a bulb but it puts off heat only. Your local farm supply probably has one or can get one for you.
I keep thinking I should get one, but always forget to order it when I’m at the co-op.
Hey Laura, thanks for the tip. I had never heard of a ceramic bulb before.
You, your family, and your grandma are in our thoughts.
michelle