Coop light on at night??

[vtpoultrymama]

Hey everyone! I have a decent sized coop with 24 chickens, 3 ducks and 2 geese. We built it about 2 1/2 months ago. I assumed it was best to keep a light on at night, so they could see to eat/drink and feel safe. So, Ive always had a 40w bulb in there. Everything has been fine. Well another chicken owner told me last night that they absolutely should not have a light at night. That it's actually bad for them to have one, as they should have 10-12 hours of darkness a day. I did some research and found lots of info that supports their argument. What I'm nervous about though, is that I've had all these birds their whole lives and they've ALWAYS had a light at night. They've never even seen darkness. Is it still okay to switch to darkness now?? or should I just put a nightlight type bulb in there, so it's a little illuminated for them? or will they be better off in total darkness? The biggest reason I want to try this, is because some of them have little spats in the coop and I feel like darkness might halt the bullying, as they'll have no idea who is where. I just feel bad switching it on them now.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Too much light can cause aggression. I would just turn off the light. They will adapt.

 

[sourland]

They may complain for a night or two as chickens hate change, but they will adapt.

 

[vtpoultrymama]

Okay, thanks so much! It's crazy how much we worry about those little buggers

 

[LizzzyJo]

Don’t worry about them they will get used to it. I’m also in the no night light club. Let them sleep soundly.

 

[Bear1978]

I concure. No need to keep the light on. They’re animals. Animals naturally adhere to the normal
light and darkness schedules of the sun.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I kept a nightlight on with my first Flock till I witnessed bullying a couple of times when I was late locking up the coop.
I still have a nightlight on so they can see to get on the roost after sunset.
I have been turning it off when I lockup the coops since then.

GC

 

[vtpoultrymama]

Thanks everyone! I'm still peeking out the window like a crazy lady, feeling guilty..haha. But, reminding myself it's best, for many reasons! You all made me feel much better and your responses definitely make me feel like I'm doing the right thing

 

[Bear1978]

Yep! As much as we would like to think of them as ‘pets’ comparable to the likes of cats and dogs, they are still not nearly as domesticated as them. They are animals who for the most part live outside where there is only the sun as a source of light and have the natural inclination to roost when the sun goes down. So anything opposite of that is really not natural for them.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

in case anyone can learn from my foolishness... I used a 100w light bulb for heat and the poor dears got no sleep, they started sleeping in the daytime and fighting w each other. I couldn't get to the store for a new heat bulb for a few days and they were in terrible shape for those days. So, now, it is black light bulb for bedtime! Thanks to everyone for answering the question before I thought to ask it.