Duck house lighting (not for eggs)

[Soon2BChixMom]

My two girls won’t go into their coop unless the light is on! I let them forage until there’s no more blue in the sky, but I leave the coop door open with a flood light inside it. Once they waddle in though, off goes the light and they snuggle into bed!

The only time I left the light on with them inside is when I first introduced them to their new coop and once again when it was really stormy.

How does the light go off? Do you herd them inside and then turn it off? I know, silly question.

 

[CarleeAnn]

How does the light go off? Do you herd them inside and then turn it off? I know, silly question.

Not silly!! I didn’t make that very clear, I do herd them in and then turn it off. If I could I would get a dimmer light that I set as soon as they go in, but that’s expensive....

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Not silly!! I didn’t make that very clear, I do herd them in and then turn it off. If I could I would get a dimmer light that I set as soon as they go in, but that’s expensive....

Ah. I am trying to make my chickens and ducks independent.
Well, I haven't actually gotten the ducks even close to that yet. They are still in their brooder. Hopefully that is changing today or tomorrow depending on what gets done.

 

[CarleeAnn]

Ah. I am trying to make my chickens and ducks independent.
Well, I haven't actually gotten the ducks even close to that yet. They are still in their brooder. Hopefully that is changing today or tomorrow depending on what gets done.

My ducks will wait by the backyard gate when they’re ready for bed and start walking to the coop when I go to get them, so I don’t really have to herd them necessarily, but they aren’t 100% on their own.

They are very good at learning routines though, I’m sure if I was dedicated enough and had an automatic door I could teach them to go in at the same time every night. I would probably add a “cue” first- like a bell ringing 5 minutes before the door closes. I would teach them by ringing the bell then encouraging them to go into the coop on their own and manually closing the door behind them, then I would gradually take myself out of the equation and let the bell and the door do all the work.

 

[PirateGirl]

My ducks like to party after dark, light or no light, they hang out doing ducky things as late as I let them before locking them up for the night. I let the ducks and chickens be natural and don't mess with light.

 

[CarleeAnn]

My ducks like to party after dark, light or no light, they hang out doing ducky things as late as I let them before locking them up for the night. I let the ducks and chickens be natural and don't mess with light.

I feel the same way, that’s why I wish I had a dimmer because it would be more natural than just switching the lights off! But the most natural would be no lights at all.

 

[PirateGirl]

I feel the same way, that’s why I wish I had a dimmer because it would be more natural than just switching the lights off! But the most natural would be no lights at all.

If I'm home and they are in their run, I let them stay up until I go to bed

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

My ducks will wait by the backyard gate when they’re ready for bed and start walking to the coop when I go to get them, so I don’t really have to herd them necessarily, but they aren’t 100% on their own.

They are very good at learning routines though, I’m sure if I was dedicated enough and had an automatic door I could teach them to go in at the same time every night. I would probably add a “cue” first- like a bell ringing 5 minutes before the door closes. I would teach them by ringing the bell then encouraging them to go into the coop on their own and manually closing the door behind them, then I would gradually take myself out of the equation and let the bell and the door do all the work.

Good thinking! If I do figure out how to add an automatic door to their playhouse coop, I will definitley rember to do this!