Coop Night Light? Verdict Needed!

[nmurphy]

I am new to chickens and I love them but I am a nervous mother hen and have a lot to learn!! They started out as a 4-H project and we have made them a permanent addition to our family and have expanded our flock so far to 25. We have a 10 x 12 building that we insulated and turned into "Murphy Manor". Where the hen house is there is no light at night & for the first week or so that we put them in there I left a light on because they seemed to do a lot of falling off the roosting pole. I think I will sleep better leaving a light on but I am afraid the bulb I have in there might be to to large. Does anyone have any suggestions on what size wattage I should use for the size of my building and should I consider putting it on a timer and if so does anyone have any suggestions on what sort of hours I should have it on for? I also want to keep my egg production up in the winter and keep them warm enough.

So excited to be here!!!! Hope everyone has a great day!!

 

[cortner1195]

I don't give light at night. They don't get that in nature, and are not prone to falling.
I do want to keep egg production up, so I supply a CFL that gives off 25watts of daylight range light. I Only turn the heat lamp on when it is below 20. Otherwise I have a timer that turns the light on 4:30-8:30 twice each day during the darkest months . That gives the suggested 14 hours of daylight per day.

That is just my plan, hope that helps.

 

[nmurphy]

Thank you very much for the advice!!

 

[Hokum Coco]

Electricity and hens do not always mix well.

Every year on this form we have members that loose everything to the chicken and Electricity combination.

Some have been raising chickens for as long as they have been on the planet.

I wish all fellow member the best of luck with what ever set up you decide on.

Some times you shoot yourself in the foot trying to reinvent the wheel.

Chickens have been raised on this continent for over 100 years with out electricity.

Unless you are raising eggs for the egg marketing board (in Canada).

I personally think it is a waste of energy and resources.

The back yard hobbyist does not need to add electricity to a coop. You are pushing the envelope unnecessarily to venture down that avenue.

Flighty chickens, feathers, dust, dry bedding, Heat lamps, Incandescent bulbs, 120 AC current, and water, in combination can burn down your coop or electrocute the owner in less than a heart beat. All it would take is one frayed cord, one panic stricken bird, or one miss step.

Accidents and mistakes do happen that is why they put erasers on the ends of pencils.

 

[chynasparks]

Your post makes a lot of sence. I am new at this. I've read so many different opinions about what is best for a set up; sand verses wood chips, deep litter vs straw. Use DE; don't use DE. Everyone has a different opinion on what is the best set up for a chicken coop/run. I have a book on raising poultry, it says use treated wood. Ive seen Internet blogs saying never use treated wood. Some advocate concrete floor, others warn against concrete. A newbie like me wants to research and gain knowledge for raising healthy chickens. It can be quite daunting trying to decide what really is the best way to go. I can agree with your opinion on electricity in the chicken house. It would be my luck something would short out some how. If I wanted light I think I would put one of those pop up battery lights or just carry one out to the coop when I needed it. A feeder fell apart inside the pen my peeps are in, a came put to see one of my peeps running around with something shiney in her mouth, another was chasing her. She had the washer from the feeder. I played heck getting it away from her. I tell that story to show that anything goes in their mouths. So my own peeps won't have electricity to play with.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Welcome to the site Chynasparks. Like most opinions they do not always relate to your situation. A coop in Florida has different wants and needs as opposed to a coop in Alaska.

I live in Canada and are subject to -40º temperatures. I have a cold hearty breed (Golden Comets) and I have no light or extra heat in my metal coop. The coop is insulated (not for the cold) but for the heat during our summers. I would not have bothered insulating if it had been a wooden structure.

I am positive when you assembled your feeder you had NO intention what so ever of feeding you birds washers and nuts for breakfast.

Accidents and mistakes do happen that is why they put erasers on the ends of pencils..

 

[chynasparks]

I realize that, but still there is so much conflicting info out there that it does get overwhelming to decide what is right for my peeps, due to being new to this. However after reading I've come to realize that I need to take the info and just apply what fits with my situation. Ive learned a lot. My biggest mistake was starting work on the coop/run after I get my 4 peeps. They grow fast! I live in Texas Gulf coast area. It's hot. And very few if any freezing temps in winter. I have 2 Buff Orpingtons and 2 R.I.R.s. I got them a Peck and Play enclosure to get them out every day (since I put the cart before the horse). They live it. Their housing will be completed by this weekend and can move in. And I can quit stressing. Any other newbies out there, get the coop done first. It will save you some worry. Right now I'm sitting out watching the peeps.

 

[BJ37]

This has some excellent information and opinions. In reading light vs. no light there is another factor that I wonder about. How much window and natural light is available in the various opinions. My coop is built into an old horse barn, and is limited to the amount of natural lighting. I plan on putting in artificial lighting when the day-light gets shorter. My question is, when is the best time for a few extra hours of light. In seems like if you add light at night, for awhile after the natural light is gone, and suddenly the light turns off, you have left them in the dark without the natural slow dimming. How do they get to the roost safely? If all the additional light time is provided in the morning, wouldn't this be better? --- But on the other side of the issue, I am concerned about them coming into the coop in the evening when there is more natural light outside than inside. Thinking about putting one of those small solar lights just inside the door, so at least it would look lighter at that part of the coop. Would this help to get them inside?