Do the nesting boxes need a little light?

[bayareapilot]

So the way my current nesting boxes work is that they are attached to the exterior of their coop with two passageway doors that lead from the inside of the coop to the exterior nesting box. Once they enter the exterior and nesting box there is effectively a narrow hallway so to speak that has three nesting boxes off to the side. I have a single red LED two watt light in their hallway. I always figured this would help them find their way into the nesting boxes since the nesting boxes are fairly dark since my hens generally lay in the early morning hours.

Seems to work but I was wondering if it would be better to not have a light in a little hallway area at all in the exterior nesting box area?

 

[Aunt Angus]

So the way my current nesting boxes work is that they are attached to the exterior of their coop with two passageway doors that lead from the inside of the coop to the exterior nesting box. Once they enter the exterior and nesting box there is effectively a narrow hallway so to speak that has three nesting boxes off to the side. I have a single red LED two watt light in their hallway. I always figured this would help them find their way into the nesting boxes since the nesting boxes are fairly dark since my hens generally lay in the early morning hours.

Seems to work but I was wondering if it would be better to not have a light in a little hallway area at all in the exterior nesting box area?

My hens prefer the nest to be dark. The one closest to the door is rarely used. I think that's because it gets the most light.

 

[rosemarythyme]

As long as it's bright enough that they can see to navigate, you don't need to add extra light. If not, then yes you'll need to provide some natural or artificial light to the area.

 

[aart]

Once they enter the exterior and nesting box there is effectively a narrow hallway so to speak that has three nesting boxes off to the side.

How long is the "hallway" ....got pics?

 

[bayareapilot]

How long is the "hallway" ....got pics?

It's narrow the whole length of it it's about 6 ft. With maybe about 10 inches wide of walkway

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't like to depend on active systems, like a light and electricity. I prefer passive systems like a window, just in case the electricity goes out. So there is some personal preference in my response.

The nests don't need much light at all, but they need to be able to find them. I have concerns as to how hot it gets in that hallway and the nests. I know you are in cool San Fransisco but how warm has it been the last few days. If they are on the shady side this is not a big concern, on the sunny side it could be. I'd still want some ventilation on the nests and that hallway so the nests and hallway don't become ovens.

Are they using those nests? If they are using them and the heat was not a problem the last few days it won't be.

Without photos those are the only concerns I can envision, the electricity going out and heat potentially building up. Some ventilation in that hallway could solve both by letting in natural light and let heat escape.

 

[bayareapilot]

I don't like to depend on active systems, like a light and electricity. I prefer passive systems like a window, just in case the electricity goes out. So there is some personal preference in my response.

The nests don't need much light at all, but they need to be able to find them. I have concerns as to how hot it gets in that hallway and the nests. I know you are in cool San Fransisco but how warm has it been the last few days. If they are on the shady side this is not a big concern, on the sunny side it could be. I'd still want some ventilation on the nests and that hallway so the nests and hallway don't become ovens.

Are they using those nests? If they are using them and the heat was not a problem the last few days it won't be.

Without photos those are the only concerns I can envision, the electricity going out and heat potentially building up. Some ventilation in that hallway could solve both by letting in natural light and let heat escape.

Many thanks for your detailed feedback!!!

The only Lighting in those areas are with LED bulbs which don't generate any heat at all and they are two Watt lights. All the lights as well as the automatic cooling fans in the coop (which circulate the warm air out of the upper air vents near the roof of the coop which created a nice air circulation of cooler air replacing the warmer air near the top, all controlled by a temperature controller) all the coop lighting as well as all the Run cooling fans are all powered from a power station which is charged from solar panels everyday. Basically anything that goes out to The Coop or run doesn't come from the electrical grid through a wall socket - for the reasons you cited, I.e. just in case there's a power outage.

With the unusually high temperatures we're having this week (even in San Francisco today we're supposed to go up to 90 which is pretty hot for us especially since no one in San Francisco has air conditioning), I'm extra grateful I set up the electrical needs of the coop and the Run to be independent of my house electricity.