Buglamp Feeding Time

[Ascholten]

Over the summer I had a bug lamp in the chicken coop. 3 of them pretty much ignored it, but one of the girls, would literally stay up until about midnight right there at the thing, and anytime something got zapped, she'd peck the lamp to make it drop and eat it. (And here you thought only humans found those things entertaining!!)

Obviously a great source of food for them, she loved it, but this gets me thinking, having a light on in the coop like that, can it be detrimental to them? Would the Blue / Violet from it cause issues. I know I have heard some studies saying blue light can mess with a humans circadian rhythm but not sure on a hen.

I know I have heard that putting a light in the coop can make them lay more eggs / continue even into the shorter months, but in the long run, is not the best for them. Would this count as overall harmful for their longevity? Has anyone else ever done this or do I go into some cackle shack hall of shame somewhere?

Aaron

 

[CluckerFamily]

I haven’t done this before nor have I heard of it. Hopefully someone has experience with this!

 

[aart]

I'd not have any light in the coop all thru the night.
Best to keep the Bugzapper Buffet int he run.

 

[Ascholten]

It's not in the part where they actually sleep, I guess you could call it the run.
The ones who do sleep, are in the fully enclosed area on their perches up top so probably dont see the direct light. The snacker is out in the fenced in area next to the lamp.

I guess I just called it the coop, in reference to the entire thing .vs. outside where they are not caged in.

Aaron

 

[aart]

It's not in the part where they actually sleep, I guess you could call it the run.
The ones who do sleep, are in the fully enclosed area on their perches up top so probably dont see the direct light. The snacker is out in the fenced in area next to the lamp.

I guess I just called it the coop, in reference to the entire thing .vs. outside where they are not caged in.

Aaron

Lock them in the coop before turning zapper on at night.

 

[Ascholten]

Lock them in the coop before turning zapper on at night.

What would be the reasoning for this? The light .vs. working them too hard thing or are there other concerns I need to know about?
Thank you for your reply.
Aaron

 

[aart]

What would be the reasoning for this? The light .vs. working them too hard thing or are there other concerns I need to know about?
Thank you for your reply.
Aaron

To keep them from spending the night eating bugs off the zapper.

 

[Ascholten]

Ok, this sounds condescending but is not meant to be.

So..... they really ARE too stupid to go to sleep when they need to? It's only just the one, the other 3 sleep, Big Red, well she's ... different, we'll leave it at that. Like one of those pretty girlfriends, she's high maintenance to keep her happy...

Aaron

 

[aart]

Ok, this sounds condescending but is not meant to be.

So..... they really ARE too stupid to go to sleep when they need to? It's only just the one, the other 3 sleep, Big Red, well she's ... different, we'll leave it at that. Like one of those pretty girlfriends, she's high maintenance to keep her happy...

Aaron

This will sound condescending and is kinda meant to be .
Keepers need to learn about chicken behaviors and needs,
and accommodate/manipulate their environment for their best health,
instead of comparing them to human behaviors.

 

[Ascholten]

Which is why people come to forums like this, to learn, since nobody, not even the experts just picked up all their knowledge by osmosis.

Sometimes comparing to human behavior IS a good learning tool because it gives people something they can relate it to, to make a connection on the learning experience. There is no one way or, even worse, my way only, when it comes to education.

At the end of the day, education is a good thing, if you can have fun, and enjoy while being taught, it's even better.

Aaron