Go inside at dark-time ??

[BJ37]

Not sure where to put this question; I am in the process of building an outside pen and concerned about them going inside at night. I understand that when it gets late and dark, they will head for the roosts. My Q. is, since there will be quite a bit more light outside, will they go inside where it will be much darker? Will they stay outside until the light level inside is too low, and therefore want to spend the night outside? I want to build a light sensor to close the door when the light drops to a low level. I don't want to shut any outside. I will be around the majority of the time, however occasionally I will not be there when it gets dark.

 

[Annasg]

They will go inside when they get tired. I doubt you will have to worry about that. Mine have windows and a security light right over their house and they still go inside. They are sometimes a little like cows. All they have to have is a leader and they all follow along.

 

[chfite]

It has been my experience that the light will fall to some level as dark approaches, then the chickens will go inside. If it is quite cloudy one day, they may go inside earlier that otherwise. It won't appear to be dark to you, just getting onto dusk.

You could keep an eye on when they go inside and adjust the photocell to act accordingly.

Chris

 

[DLV58]

Hi, The first 3 nights I had to put my girls to bed, now they start getting ready at 8pm,
jumping in and out and making noise by 9pm they are all in a little row ready for bed,
I just shut the door.