4 AM: A problem or totally normal?

[HeatherKellyB]

I always check for full crops at sunset and make a mash of feed softened with water and anyone not full, will fill up before last light. I also have solar powered lights all around both of my coops and they are super sensitive, but it never bothers any of my birds. I do have 6 Cockerels that like to start sounding off a little after 5 am (still dark as first light if right before 7am), but they all remain on their roosts until first light. My girls aren't bothered by their crows. In fact this morning I had to have my daughter at school at 7:15 (she is a 3rd grader and the tardy bell rings at 7:30am) and had to leave from the school house to make it to an appointment, so I had to let the chickens out before first light. Everyone of them acted like I was a crazy person and they stayed put, I guess until first light, even the boys that were crowing over and over, and sometimes in harmony If I were you, I'd try to make sure they were full and offer them a mash (if that's something they like, it's my birds favorite treat!) right before locking them up at night. If you're confident that nothing else is waking them up and they're truly hungry, hopefully this will help before bad habits begin taking over and your stuck with getting up in the dark or dealing with frustrated neighbors. Best wishes! I hope this might help

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

We currently DON'T have anything lurking around! How many times do I have to state this?! Our amazing dogs would alert us if there was.

Motion-activated lights are more sensitive in cold weather, so it doesn't have to be an animal that is triggering the light. It could be a moving branch or blowing leaf or something that doesn't trigger the light in warmer weather. Been there, done that. Try turning down the sensitivity if you can. For all you know they could be alarming after the light turns off after turning on, which would be why you don't see it on when they start alarming.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Motion-activated lights are more sensitive in cold weather, so it doesn't have to be an animal that is triggering the light. It could be a moving branch or blowing leaf or something that doesn't trigger the light in warmer weather. Been there, done that. Try turning down the sensitivity if you can. For all you know they could be alarming after the light turns off after turning on, which would be why you don't see it on when they start alarming.

I already said that the light wasn't being turned on before I get out there.... not sure why everyone isn't reading that part.
When I'm standing out there with them, it turns on then because of me and the chickens.

 

[DiYMama540]

Seems they're training you quite well for a midnight snack! Are the ducks and chickens housed together? The chickens could be telling the ducks to hush up and go to sleep.
What kind of feed are you using?

 

[cottontail farm]

Im not sure why everyone is blaming this on the motion light.
My rooster starts talking very early in the morning. Like around 4 or 5. We don't have a motion light. However we DO have a set of neighbors that get up for the day around that time and another one coming home from work before dawn. They're turning on lights, letting pets out etc.
My chickens are very far away from the house but can apparently still hear us. The rooster starts talking about the neighbors before dawn and then everyone starts demanding breakfast and to be let out when they hear us get up. Thankfully we live in the country and no one cares.
So. Um, maybe it's NOT the motion light?
If you live close enough that the neighbors hear your chickens the chickens are probably reacting to something going on in the neighborhood every morning. Maybe someone is up getting ready for work? Turning their house lights on and moving around? Someone suggested covering the windows at night to block out light. That might help. Also maybe if you put a dish of scratch in their coop when they go to bed they'll just wake up and eat that? It's worth a try.

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[KikiDeAnime]

Im not sure why everyone is blaming this on the motion light.
My rooster starts talking very early in the morning. Like around 4 or 5. We don't have a motion light. However we DO have a set of neighbors that get up for the day around that time and another one coming home from work before dawn. They're turning on lights, letting pets out etc.
My chickens are very far away from the house but can apparently still hear us. The rooster starts talking about the neighbors before dawn and then everyone starts demanding breakfast and to be let out when they hear us get up. Thankfully we live in the country and no one cares.
So. Um, maybe it's NOT the motion light?
If you live close enough that the neighbors hear your chickens the chickens are probably reacting to something going on in the neighborhood every morning. Maybe someone is up getting ready for work? Turning their house lights on and moving around? Someone suggested covering the windows at night to block out light. That might help. Also maybe if you put a dish of scratch in their coop when they go to bed they'll just wake up and eat that? It's worth a try.

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I DO know that one of the neighbors behind us gets up at 5am but maybe they've been getting up earlier than that.
My dad does get up at 4am but he's always done that since, well, for as long as I can remember and it's never bothered the chickens.
The only noise our cockerel does, is cluck like a hen. And yes, he is indeed a cockerel as he's 9 months old and looks like one. He still doesn't crow.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I already said that the light wasn't being turned on before I get out there.... not sure why everyone isn't reading that part.
When I'm standing out there with them, it turns on then because of me and the chickens.

You obviously didn't read what I said. I said that they may be alarming when the light goes OFF after turning on due to wind blowing a branch or something. If their alarming wakes you up at 4 AM, how would you know the light didn't turn on before that? You don't.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Im not sure why everyone is blaming this on the motion light.

Solving problems requires eliminating possible causes. No one knows the light is causing the problem, but it could be, so it needs to be eliminated from the equation.

 

[aart]

Ok, so what answer are you looking for? People are trying to help and you are shooting down every single suggestion.

Typical MO.

 

[sciencegrrrrl]

My rooster is up at 4 but I'm sure the hens wish he'd sleep in! There must be something waking them up, my gals will nearly fall asleep anywhere if it gets dark and quiet on them if they are late to go to roost.