Fighting over Roosts in the Coop? Because of Artificial Lights?

[ashleyimme]

I introduced an artificial light into the coop tonight as the days are getting shorter. Tonight was the first night.

I have a flock of 5, 2 of them are relatively new, I’ve had them about a month now. There has been a little bit of squabbling in the yard but it seems to have been fine in the coop.

Until tonight. There was a lot of fighting inside the coop- it seemed as if the fighting was over the roost. I haven’t noticed this much fighting in the coop before.

Some of the girls even came out of the coop then went back inside, then came out again...

I’m wondering if the artificial light is causing confusion, and in turn causing this fighting?

Is there a way I can introduce the light so as to not cause this problem? Would the morning be better? I want them to have the light so they can continue laying sometimes.


Or is the fighting a result of something else?

 

[azygous]

Yes, morning would be better.

I've found that when I time the lights to come on in the early part of the night, the chickens do get very restless and sometimes become overly active. This is disruptive on a number of levels. One problem is that those that hop off the perch find themselves stranded when the coop suddenly becomes dark. This can be upsetting, and upset hens don't feel like laying - the entire purpose for lighting the coop.

It's far better to time the light to come on around 4 or 5 am to cause an early start to their day. They are also less likely to become active and agitated.

 

[ashleyimme]

Yes, morning would be better.

I've found that when I time the lights to come on in the early part of the night, the chickens do get very restless and sometimes become overly active. This is disruptive on a number of levels. One problem is that those that hop off the perch find themselves stranded when the coop suddenly becomes dark. This can be upsetting, and upset hens don't feel like laying - the entire purpose for lighting the coop.

It's far better to time the light to come on around 4 or 5 am to cause an early start to their day. They are also less likely to become active and agitated.

thank you so much! That’s very helpful

 

[Folly's place]

I have a small light that comes on from 4am to 8am every day, and it works fine. There's food and water available when they wake up, and egg production is better.
Mary

 

[ashleyimme]

I have a small light that comes on from 4am to 8am every day, and it works fine. There's food and water available when they wake up, and egg production is better.
Mary

thanks! I’m worried about water in the coop. Would just food be ok you think?

 

[Folly's place]

I think they need both food and water when they wake up. Food without water might be a problem, although I've never tried it.
Mary

 

[azygous]

When I use supplemental light in the coops, I also place a light out in my enclosed run to come on at the same time of early morning. That draws the chickens out of the coops. I have food and water out in the run for them.

I live where water freezes overnight unless it's in insulated tanks with heating pads on the horizontal nipples. This way, they don't have to wait for me to come out at day break to bring them water.

 

[aart]

Would the morning be better?

Yep. Do you have a timer?

I’m worried about water in the coop. Would just food be ok you think?

Why are you worried about water in the coop? They definitely need water, and feed, every minute they are awake...IMO.

 

[ashleyimme]

Yep. Do you have a timer?

Why are you worried about water in the coop? They definitely need water, and feed, every minute they are awake...IMO.

I have a light on a timer. The water in the coop freezes, and my coop is to small to put any type of heated waterer in there....

 

[West Bend]

When I use supplemental light in the coops, I also place a light out in my enclosed run to come on at the same time of early morning. That draws the chickens out of the coops. I have food and water out in the run for them.

I live where water freezes overnight unless it's in insulated tanks with heating pads on the horizontal nipples. This way, they don't have to wait for me to come out at day break to bring them water.

Do you have an automatic door or is the door to the run always open? I keep food & H2O in the run only. I have a 2x4 ft opening from coop to run where a door should be, but I use a screen because I do not have other windows yet (coop was given to me, I started to use it for winter b/c the coop area is bigger 4x6,unfortunately the run part is smaller 5x6) . 2 6x18in & 1 3x12in opening for ventilation in the run area. The balance of screen around the run is covered w/ marine grade clear plastic. I use a set of Christmas lights in both in the evening. Almost never seem to want to roost in the coop at night.