brief night time lighting as chicks are growing.

[dubenjs1]

So i have a flock of six chicks, right around the nine week old range, i have built them a 4x6 coop with a 101/2 x 4 foot run and it seems every night since i have put them in the run they wait to long to return to their coop so the coop is dark. when i go and check on them and to close the door to the coop they are all cuddled up and sleeping right at the door and on the ramp. once i turn a light on for them that i ran with extension cord they all grab something to eat and some water and then eventually go up to the roosts. Does anyone have any idea that i could use to have some kind of solar powered light that i can hook up that will automatically turn on around dusk time frame and stay on for maybe an hour or two max just to give them time to come in, unwind, eat and get onto their roost. light does not have to be solar but i would like it to be automatic. thank you in advance.

 

[Folly's place]

Artificial lighting that turns off suddenly in the dark will strand them off the roosts. You can set a light on a timer, that's easy, but it will be a problem later. My chicks are doing something similar, and it's because they weren't raised by a broody hen, who trains them better. Go out at dusk and put them on the roost; after a few nights they will do better. If the coop lacks windows and space, fix that. Mary

 

[dubenjs1]

Thank you very much, I will try that. The coop has a large window in it and what I would think plenty of room, 4x6 not including the nesting boxes. Here is a pic, no laughing this is my first coop. You cannot see the window in it as it is on the other side.

 

[PeAckAnBiTs]

I got a light that I bought at a dollar general store. One of those as seen on t.v things. It's an led light with a sensor that 4 AA batteries an has a motion sensor only comes on at night when there is movement an goes off after afew min when there is no movement. Paid 13$ light an batteries that's what I have in my coop......Oh yea nice coop by the way, I really like the landscaping with the big rocks.

 

[dubenjs1]

Thank you and this is Connecticut and it seems as the rock is the state flower around here.

 

[chiques chicks]

I bought those $1 dollar path lights at Dollar Tree. I drilled holes in the south wall of my coop that they fit in, I think it was around 1⅜". IThe holes are just big enough for a friction fit of the clear party of thelight, the solar cell part is on the outside of the coop. I also took the little reflector out of the bottom of it.

They stay on, although dim, for a number of hours. Some lasted six months, some lasted two years, but they were a buck each.

Cheap, easy, replaceable, they seem to sell them year round.

 

[dubenjs1]

Very nice, thank you..

 

[ECBW]

Are they acclimated to the coop? If not, they may not know to go inside to roost.

They should have been locked in the coop for a few days when first moved in. Then their instinct wil guide them to roost at dusk. I never needed lights to guide them to roost.

 

[dubenjs1]

Very good advice, I never even heard of locking them in there coop for a couple of days thank you. Although good news, last night they did go to there roost with a little nudge, actually one the black star had to be nudged. I will see how they do tonight. Thanks again.