I put a light in the coop for MY convenience - feeding at 6A in Winter means no sunlight for at least an hour : (
Same thing when I get home after 5P.
The hens don't mind at all when I make "instant daylight" by turning the light on.
Noone has fallen off the roost yet, althought there is some grumbling that I have interrupted their sleep.
It's funny - I'll clean the coop, feed & water then go tend my horses.
By the time I get back the chickens are roosting again - catching up on that sleep : D
Most nights when I get home from work they've already roosted because it's gotten dark out.
These days they go in to roost around 6:30-7P, as soon as the sun starts to set.
I got a heatlamp for them and have only used it on the bitterest below-zero days when they refuse to leave the coop.
That way I don't feel so guilty when I'm at work all day.
Honestly, I think they're fine without it - remember: they wear little down jackets all year long : )
For unfrozen water I've been using a heated dog bowl set up on bricks so they don't tip it or poop in it.
That has worked great for the last 2 years.
I just tote a gallon jug of water the whole 250' from the house then dump and refill the bowl in the coop.
Have fun with your hens.
They are tougher than they look!
Same thing when I get home after 5P.
The hens don't mind at all when I make "instant daylight" by turning the light on.
Noone has fallen off the roost yet, althought there is some grumbling that I have interrupted their sleep.
It's funny - I'll clean the coop, feed & water then go tend my horses.
By the time I get back the chickens are roosting again - catching up on that sleep : D
Most nights when I get home from work they've already roosted because it's gotten dark out.
These days they go in to roost around 6:30-7P, as soon as the sun starts to set.
I got a heatlamp for them and have only used it on the bitterest below-zero days when they refuse to leave the coop.
That way I don't feel so guilty when I'm at work all day.
Honestly, I think they're fine without it - remember: they wear little down jackets all year long : )
For unfrozen water I've been using a heated dog bowl set up on bricks so they don't tip it or poop in it.
That has worked great for the last 2 years.
I just tote a gallon jug of water the whole 250' from the house then dump and refill the bowl in the coop.
Have fun with your hens.
They are tougher than they look!
