lights

[tinag210]

We have started adding light of an evening to our coturnix quail in order to keep them laying. With all the encouragement for everyone to switch over to the compact flourescent type light bulbs to save energy I am curious if anyone knows if the different types of light have any different effects on egg laying. Would the "daylight" bulbs or a "plant light" work best or does it really make any difference? I haven't tested myself and am all for going green and saving energy but I also want to keep the little buggers laying to the best of their ability.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Tina

[Evy]

I've used the compact fluorescent in the barn for years. The only thing is they tend to dim when it's very cold. In fact, they may not start again if you turn them off in cold weather.

[tinag210]

Thanks Evy. I didn't think about the cold factor. I use flourescents in the rabbit shed when choring after dark and they sometimes don't want to come on when very cold. By the time it gets that cold I probably won't be wanting quail eggs anyway plus I usually use heat lamps to help keep water unfrozen (animals don't really need the heat but less work for me).

[cchoate]

I have started using daylight compact fluorescent. The light is a whiter more natural light (like the sun). You can tell dark blue from black and white actually looks white instead of dingy yellow compared to a soft white bulb. CF bulbs last much longer the incandescent but will be dim when first turned on in cold. After 30 to 40 seconds will glow bright. Home Depot or Wallyworld has them relatively cheap.
If you're looking to heat a brooder, CF will not do the job as they burn cool.