Are my chickens sleeping?!?

[Chickmama77]

My girls are now 12 weeks old. So far so good...my backyard has a motion flood light that randomly turns on and off throughout the night. It is on most of the time. The faintest bit of light shines through my coop window. A few times I’ve walked into the coop at night and all 6 of my hens are standing up on their roost; not sleeping, just standing up, alert...do you think the light is keeping them up? Or have they just not settled in for the night and fallen asleep? I usually peek in on them around 9:30-10pm. Any answer would be greatly appreciated

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Every time I look at my birds after dark they are looking back at me. That's normal. Why is your motion light coming on constantly? Is it pointing at shrubs that move in the wind? Stray cats? Most motion lights can be turned or the motion sensitivity can be change. Just a thought.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If I judged solely by my flashlight then my chickens never ever sleep. So yes it's normal for them to stare back at you if you check on them at night, as light does disturb their sleep.

Definitely consider fixing that light of yours. I have no light on outside at night other than the moon and stars and it sure helps me sleep better than I used to. I have to imagine animals would appreciate that as well.

 

[Chickmama77]

Every time I look at my birds after dark they are looking back at me. That's normal. Why is your motion light coming on constantly? Is it pointing at shrubs that move in the wind? Stray cats? Most motion lights can be turned or the motion sensitivity can be change. Just a thought.

Thanks. I’m going to find out how to make it less sensitive. Yes it’s from stray cats, opossum, the occasional dog. Our property isn’t fenced in yet. We’re doing that this weekend. My girls coop is in a concrete detached two car garage (we don’t keep cars in it) so they are safe from nighttime predators.

 

[Chickmama77]

If I judged solely by my flashlight then my chickens never ever sleep. So yes it's normal for them to stare back at you if you check on them at night, as light does disturb their sleep.

Definitely consider fixing that light of yours. I have no light on outside at night other than the moon and stars and it sure helps me sleep better than I used to. I have to imagine animals would appreciate that as well.

Thanks!!! I will change the sensitivity or put curtains in their windows