Do they need the dark?

[Unobtanium]

I've found an auto on light for my chickens. It will provide 8 hours of decent light for their roost. Is this too much? Will it harm them in some way? I cant turn it on and off, its automatic. Would I be better off not lighting the roost? I want to light it so they will roost st night, I think they fear the dark roost.

 

[ramboas93]

Aslong as they get atleast 6-8 hours of dark they should be ok, little extra light will make them lay longer through the year, they need so many hours of daylight to tigger their body into laying mode. They should never be forced to live under continuous lighting, which harms their immune system, color perception, and ability to transport calcium through cell membranes.

 

[chickens really]

They don't need light. They will be better off going to Roost as the sun goes down and will sleep till the sun comes up.

 

[Unobtanium]

They don't need light. They will be better off going to Roost as the sun goes down and will sleep till the sun comes up.

The problem is that they don't roost. They will get on the roost during the day as they wander about, but I feel like they avoid it at night because it's dark and they're scared of it, so they fall asleep in the dirt like wild animals. Completely uncivilized. I want them to sleep on the roost as becomes a well bred Wellsummer of fine pedigree. Not some unkempt savage. I would like it if they did not need the light, and hope to "wean" it out of there once they form proper roosting habits at night fall.

 

[chickens really]

The problem is that they don't roost. They will get on the roost during the day as they wander about, but I feel like they avoid it at night because it's dark and they're scared of it, so they fall asleep in the dirt like wild animals. Completely uncivilized. I want them to sleep on the roost as becomes a well bred Wellsummer of fine pedigree. Not some unkempt savage. I would like it if they did not need the light, and hope to "wean" it out of there once they form proper roosting habits at night fall.

How old are they?..Young Birds huddle and sleep on the ground if not Momma raised. They will Roost when ready.

 

[Unobtanium]

How old are they?..Young Birds huddle and sleep on the ground if not Momma raised. They will Roost when ready.

They are 53 days of age.

 

[chickens really]

They are 53 days of age.

What type of roosts?..I use 2X4s flat side up. They like laying on them..

 

[Unobtanium]

What type of roosts?..I use 2X4s flat side up. They like laying on them..

It's a 2x2 running across their coop. The last flock did just fine with it. So do these if I place them on it at night, but the next night, they do not return to it as I had hoped.

 

[chickens really]

It's a 2x2 running across their coop. The last flock did just fine with it. So do these if I place them on it at night, but the next night, they do not return to it as I had hoped.

Then put them to bed nightly before the sun goes down completely and don't have the light on either..

 

[Unobtanium]

Then put them to bed nightly before the sun goes down completely and don't have the light on either..

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