dy light on light off?

[annie3001]

okay i know already about the heat lamp. but what about a regular light all the time at night in their coop.
i lock my 5 2 month old chickens up and had my heat lamp going at night.
however because its been very humid and muggy and hot even at night i switched it to a low energy saving white bulb.
what time the power went out and the (heatlight) was off. i didnt know till the am, and the chicks made a mess in their coop. does everyone leave a light on at night? thanks inadvance

andrea,ct.

 

[annie3001]

okay my bad spelling....
one time when the power went out:

 

[lux_interior]

I left a light on all night at first, it's a really good training tool, because they will all gather in the coop at night because of the light, and it teaches them to put themselves to sleep. After a month or so, I left it on only till they were all tucked in there, and then I unplug it so they can sleep. They can't see in the dark, so if it's dark they will sleep... if they have light all night then they will be up and moving about all night...

 

[Imp]

A lot of people here don't reccommend leaving a light on in the coop 24 hrs a day. I had chickens long before finding BYC, and maybe erroneously told that it was better to go with either no supplemental light or continuous 24 hr light. I opted for the continous light, and see no reason to change now. Works for me. But when there have been power outages, I've had no problem.

Imp- I think it's a choice.

 

[annie3001]

okay thanks alot, so maybe now that they should be sleeping, i can turn the light off? i have also read about keeping the light on keeps up with the egg production?
any thoughts there?

 

[annie3001]

just a note:
i do shut the light off during the day: so im thinking at night after they are tucked in,, i can turn it off. seems they are scared tho, alot of peeping going on.

 

[Imp]

I think it's 14 hours a day for egg production. And don't worry about the peeping. They will get used to whatever you decide.

Imp

 

[annie3001]

okay thanks so very much

 

[lux_interior]

yeah the light helping with egg production is really only a big deal in the winter, when there is less daylight. the summer is fine, because they get lots of sun, but you should use a light to add a few hours of light in the winter. even then though, it doesn't have to be on all night.... I agree with Imp though, it is a choice. I just use it to help them find their beds and then turn it off... no reason to spend all the money on energy while they are sleeping... I think it's natural for every animal to sleep in the dark, well not nocturnal ones.... but ya know, chickens were doing fine before electricity

 

[kcfuerst]

Where do yo live Annie? Is it below 60-65° at night? There is no need for a light to keep them warm if they have most of their feathers and the weather is warm. Just like us, your chicks would probably appreciate a good night's sleep without the light on. In fact, chickens sleep better at night without a light on.