Coop is very dark

[Nixonfamilyusa]

I have a 6x4 coop for 5 hens. It has no windows and when the door is closed it's really dark. I am not trying to stimulate egg production, these gals are only 8 weeks old. I know at night they don't see well. I would like to hang some red LED Christmas lights so they can at least see where they are going but not be bright enough to prevent them sleeping. Is this a recommended course of action?

 

[Moodleroni]

My chickens are on a schedule and i also do not try to stimulate egg production. When it starts getting towards bedtime, they roost just outside the coop, then head inside just before sundown. I think I would throw them off their schedule and routine if I added a light. My coop does have a window though, and it let's in a bit of light from our yard lights. Maybe adding a window would be a better option, just put hardwire mesh to keep the coop secure.

 

[aart]

I have a 6x4 coop for 5 hens. It has no windows and when the door is closed it's really dark. I am not trying to stimulate egg production, these gals are only 8 weeks old. I know at night they don't see well. I would like to hang some red LED Christmas lights so they can at least see where they are going but not be bright enough to prevent them sleeping. Is this a recommended course of action?

No to the lights.
You need windows in the coop for both some light and especially ventilation.

 

[Nixonfamilyusa]

Thanks, I appreciate your insight. Essentially the coop is a 6x4 foot shed that is about 6 foot high. It's an aluminum box with gables roof with good venting but no windows. I believe the ribs on the walls are structural and cutting them would be out of the question unless I rebuilt the inside with lumber studs (2x4). When they come in to roost will they sleep through the night? If so would some light to allow them to find their way in and get settled work, and they would sleep through until dawn.

 

[Folly's place]

How many square feet of venting? It's a cave/ closet, and needs openings for ventilation and natural light. How about a big hardware cloth covered window in the door?
It's also small and short for these birds, and for you unless you are very short.
How about some pictures?
Mary

 

[Nixonfamilyusa]

Here are some pictures. I am 5.9 and can stand upright inside. There are vents on both gables and air flows in where roof meets wall. I plan on adding a 2x4 by 6 foot perch this weekend and nesting boxes when they are closer to egg laying age. They have almost 4 sq foot of floor space each.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The venting is insufficient, you want 1 sq ft of ventilation per bird in moderate climates, more if in a hot climate.

 

[GCrumb]

It looks as if you might take the whole triangular panel with the louvers in it off and replace them with hardware cloth panels.

 

[DLA]

They'll find their way in to the roosts before dark once they get big enough to get up there. If they're not doing that sit them on the roosts each night before dark for a few days to a week and they'll learn to do that. Light in there will just throw them off. you also do need to find a way for more ventilation that won't leave them susceptible to cold weather or blowing rain. so either windows with shutters or something under the cover of the roof.
This is a video of windows on a metal shed