Do they need the dark?

[coach723]

There are a lot of timers available that you could use, both 115v and 12v, that can be very easily programmed to come on so that they have enough light to draw them into the coop, and then turn off for the night, for as little as 10$ - 15$. Once they are in they don't need light all night. Since they are young you may have to physically put them on the roosts each night until they figure it out. Sometimes it can take a while, what ever is habit for them becomes 'normal', you need to make a new habit. My roosts are also 2x4 or 2x3 wide side up.

 

[chickens really]

Will they learn it? I'll give it a go!

Of course they will. It's all new to them. Train them to Roost..

 

[Unobtanium]

Of course they will. It's all new to them. Train them to Roost..

What time should I put them to bed, if it gets dark at 9pm?

 

[chickens really]

What time should I put them to bed, if it gets dark at 9pm?

When it's almost dark or when you see they have put themselves to bed on the floor.

 

[Unobtanium]

When it's almost dark or when you see they have put themselves to bed on the floor.

I will try it. I'm only home for that occasion a few days out of the week though.

 

[chickens really]

I will try it. I'm only home for that occasion a few days out of the week though.

Seriously I'm not sure why your concerned. They will Roost. I would keep trying when home or let them figure it out.

 

[50-45-1]

Were your birds raised in a brooder box with a light?
Do they get outside now during the day?
I have used a light in the past at dusk to induce my young birds to bed down where they should. I think the light is a comfort to them. I turn it off after everybody is where they were supposdd to be.
Other than the chick box. And the winter season depending on where you are geographically, they do not need a light.

 

[Melky]

My chicks are six weeks-seven weeks old and I do not use lights in the coop. My chicks roost mostly in am and pm but I do catch them on it in afternoons as well. I have two roosting bars in the coop and one large one in the run. They are about 1.5 to 2 inches wide. I trained mine to go up at night with mealworms as too young for scratch feed when I put them in the coop at 4-5 weeks. Within couple days they were taking themselves up and I do not still treat them. I have read that chickens have limited night vision and I ponder if they get themselves stuck out after dark if they can see to navigate back? That said question how insistent should one be if chickens are in run with house to make them go up at night and close hen house door? I did this but now it is light longer in the evening and my chicks love to roost and come out once I arrive. My concern is night predators. Some nights I leave the hen house door open and go to bed sure they will go in when dark. Any thoughts?

 

[Unobtanium]

Were your birds raised in a brooder box with a light?
Do they get outside now during the day?
I have used a light in the past at dusk to induce my young birds to bed down where they should. I think the light is a comfort to them. I turn it off after everybody is where they were supposdd to be.
Other than the chick box. And the winter season depending on where you are geographically, they do not need a light.

They lived in my spare bedroom under a lamp 24/7 for 10 days (progressively weaker bulbs) and were placed in the coop on day 11.

 

[Latestarter]

OK... STOP WORRYING! They are baby chickens. They don't have life figured out yet. They have no momma to teach them. They WILL figure it out. Do NOT add the light as the chickens, just like you and I, NEED the darkness for proper and adequate sleep.

How do sadistic guards torture prisoners? They keep the lights on 24/7. It disrupts normal circadian rhythms and really messes creatures up. A little additional hours of light during winter (total 12-14 hours) will keep them laying through winter but again, that places a stress on the birds as they usually have that time for their bodies to rest and recuperate and build up for the coming spring laying start.

They will continue to huddle together on the ground in the litter until they are large enough to get up on the roost by themselves. They go up there on and off during the day to rest. They will "get it" on their own soon enough or you can help train them by going in after dark when they've bedded down and (IN THE DARK), lift them and place them on the roost.

Chickens do not have "bird feet" and though they can do a basic perch, they are far better on a wider footing platform (at least 3.5-4") as they stand flat footed with toes curled over the edge, then settle down on their keel bone to cover toes with feathers. This is particularly important in sub freezing weather to prevent toe frost bite.

Isn't being a chickeneer fun? Lots of stuff to occupy the mind