coop lighting... 24 hours?

[mbq]

Does anyone know if it's okay to light my coop 24 hours a day or should I have a timer?

 

[tiffanyh]

I wouldnt do 24 hours. They need a down time also and that can lead to featherplucking etc. In the darker months with shorter days, I do a light until 9 or so. But in spring I stop and give them some down time to "regroup: before the spring laying rush again.

 

[chickluvr]

My chickens are so spoiled! When i first put them outside they were scared of the dark because they had been under a heat lamp all the time, so i put a regular lightbulb in the heat lamp and put it in their coop, facing down so it doesnt shine in their eyes while they are trying to sleep. Well, now i cant turn it off. They really get scared and scream!

 

[Mahonri]

I have a sky light in my coop so that helps to light it up inside during the day... but I also have a low wattage bulb that goes on at 6 AM and goes off at 8PM, year round.