Coop lighting for my benefit?

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emmajane07

emmajane07

Chirping
5 Years
Aug 13, 2014
104
4
53
Missouri
Hi all!

I am really wanting to light my coop for my benefit. Since, we are getting into the winter days, sunrise isn't until 7:30am getting later and later. I am finding myself having to let everyone out when it isn't quite light out yet. I would like to be able to walk back to the roosting/nesting area and check for eggs in the light, while not stepping on any chickens or ducks. I do not want to light the coop to extend the chickens and ducks laying season. I want them to have a break. So, I'll get to my question---is there any reasonable way to light my coop with a timer? I do not want to go through the mess of installing electric in the coop (digging a ditch, etc). I have seen a lot of ideas on here but many are outdated it seems. I've seen solar lights on a timer, use of lawn mower batteries, car antennas, etc.

Any help/ideas are appreciated :)

Thank you!
 
Since you aren't looking to use it to extend laying, I would get one of the "insta bulb" battery operated lights - pull the cord/push the button when you enter to turn it on, do your thing and then pull/push to turn it off (Returning coop to darkness) when you leave....or just carry a flashlight.
 
Ol Grey Mare said:
Since you aren't looking to use it to extend laying, I would get one of the "insta bulb" battery operated lights - pull the cord/push the button when you enter to turn it on, do your thing and then pull/push to turn it off (Returning coop to darkness) when you leave....or just carry a flashlight.
Click to expand...
Ditto this^^^

I prefer a headlight, leaves my hands free.
 
My main coop is lit but I just carry a flashlight for my unlit coop. On really dark nights getting to and from the coop I like to know there is not a skunk feeding near my path. Do you know how fast your heart starts beating when you suddenly see a skunk just a few feet away? I don’t always follow a tight schedule so a timer would not work for me.

As long as the light is not on for 15 minutes or longer, it will not interfere with them molting or not molting and will not mess up their egg laying.
 
Thank you! I bought some puck lights....the ones you put under kitchen cabinets. Do you think it would be an issue if I left them on low all night long? Not in the roosting area, but outside of it.
 
emmajane07 said:
Thank you! I bought some puck lights....the ones you put under kitchen cabinets. Do you think it would be an issue if I left them on low all night long? Not in the roosting area, but outside of it.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't as it's a waste of batteries...... plus, why? I thought you just needed some light to move thru the coop after dark?
 
emmajane07 said:
Thank you! I bought some puck lights....the ones you put under kitchen cabinets. Do you think it would be an issue if I left them on low all night long? Not in the roosting area, but outside of it.
Click to expand...
It would absolutely be an issue. Those cheap lights are meant to be used in a closet/closed area to light for a brief period to get/see what you need. Leaving them on all night, they don't have a chance, to say nothing of the batteries.
Take those puck lights and use them in the house/closet or someplace, and get a headlight. There are many to choose from at lots of stores and will do what you say you need to do: get to the run/coop, not step on a skunk, etc.
Good luck finding what you need.
 
Good old fashioned lantern (with modern batteries and LED bulbs) works for me, easy to carry and then it hangs on a nail in the shed. Plenty of light and does not disturb the birds any, even when I shine it into the hen house just to make sure everyone is still there.
 
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