Do chickens need night lights?

[TheChickenProject]

I added a 12 foot string of blue rope lighting to the interior of my coop. (4x4 floor). Question is, will the lighting keep them awake? I noticed they didn't settle down until 10:30 last night and only after the light was out. I'm not sure if it was the heat last night or the light.

Do they need a small light or should I just keep them in the dark?

Edited to add: I keep water in the coop at night. Is thier vision so poor as to need light or can I do without?

 

[rancher hicks]

Please forgive me:

"do chickens need night lights?"

Not unless they're reading a really good book.

Not unless they're afraid of the dark.

Seriously , No.

 

[TheChickenProject]

set myself up for that one!

 

[PhilErvin]

NO, they do not need a night light. You've noticed they go in and get situated before dark. That is because they can not see in the dark. They DON'T need to see in the dark.

 

[Rozzie]

x

 

[ncgrad00]

Mine have a night light and it helps the new chicks find the roosts. I have 6 8 week old chicks and they slept in the nesting boxes until 5 days ago. I got electricity to my coop and put a night light in. Now they sleep on the roost with the other 3 hens. I think night lights are a good idea just make sure it is not too bright. I think mine is 4 watts.

 

[TheChickenProject]

Rozzie, thanks for the reply. I went with setting the timer to turn the lights out one hour after dusk. This allowed them to settle before "lights out". I agree with supplementing the natural lighting and have solar lights surrounding the outside of the coop which helps with this.

 

[burntmuch]

I wondered the same thing. I bought a cheap solar landscape light. Cut a 2 inch by 2 inch hole in the south wall of the coop & glued the light into the hole. Seems to work good. I dont know how long it stays lit. It gives out just enough light so the chickens can see the roost. My hens wouldnt go into the coop until I put it in.

 

[gritsar]

They don't need light in their coop. I've heard people say they leave lights in the coop "in case a predator gets in...so the chickens can defend themselves". Build a coop like Ft. Knox and no predators should be getting in.

 

[EZZIEMAE]

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