Chicken bedtime?

[Pequena Bandada]

I started my chicken flock this summer, and noted that the chickens put themselves to bed in the coop right around sunset and were noisily demanding to get let out shortly after sunrise. Now that the days are getting shorter, they still follow that pattern. I assume they'll do the same in the winter. But what I wonder is... do they sleep more in the winter? Or do they just hang out in the coop for a few hours until they get tired? Does anyone know?

Also, I'd like to get eggs throughout the winter, so I've read that I need to put a coop light on to simulate at least 14 hours of daylight. So here's the question - do I put the light on in the run so they can stay out later? (like a floodlight) Or just a light in the coop so they'll go in when it's dark out, but it will be light in the coop?

Thanks!

 

[mboreham1]

they will continue with their pattern, a chicken life is dictated by the sun! You can put a floodlight out there, you will find a lot of differing opinions on lighting and chickens on here, using a light will increase the egg output in the winter, a lot of people think that we should let nature do its thing with chickens and allow them to stop laying when the days are shorter.

Mine make a heck of a noise, so i just enclosed a run for them and kept the door open 24/7, they now come and go as they please and dont wake the neighbors as soon as the sun rises.

 

[3chimama]

i've wondered what they do in there too...would love to have a video cam in the hen house ;D
I have decided to not give extra light and let them rest for the winter.