I don't want them to be in complete darkness....

[zowieyellowflame]

Wow! I love this site!!! So many replies, thanks everyone!!!
As far as predators go, I have OCD. The chickens are housed in a room built inside of a large shed/small barn. I keep myself busy inspecting holes, covering holes, propping the doors closed, locking the doors, devising more plans on how to lock the doors more securely. Outside, their area to run around in atleast prevents large animals like coyotes and it is covered to prevent hawks, eagles.
The chicken "sleep coma" alarmed me last year. We wanted to introduce some birds to the original flock and we did it at night with lights out. It really freaked me out because it is almost like they are paralyzed in the dark, or while sleeping.
A few weeks ago we kill trapped a weasel in our house..... yup, house, not coop. Right on my bathroom floor with a rat trap. Took a long time for shower to feel normal again.

Now I dream about weasels and that sort of thing. So I thought, that atleast if there were some light, maybe if a weasel did get in there (I was surprised how small! This weasel breed was an ermine) that maybe they would all shout, and flap about and maybe some would be saved. My roo is pretty aggressive too.
Anyways, I am not sure what I will do just yet. Tonight though it is very cold so I will likely just leave the red light on. Egg laying is important but so are the chickens. I thought too, what about a baby monitor? Is that going too far?

 

[Ridgerunner]

You're asking if a baby monitor is going too far? This is a site with some people that put diapers on their chickens, let them roam in the house, and consider it perfectly nomal! For me a baby monitor or diaper is going too far, but for some people absolutely not. If it is worth the peace of mind to you to install a baby monitor, then go for it. I will make suggestions and pass on what I think is good information, but I am not going to judge you. And I can certainly appreciate your concern if you trapped a weasel in your house.

 

[sattoritx]

Our neighbor just told me that he had a rooster killed a couple nights ago. His are seperated from the hens and not allowed in the coop or run. He said a rat killed it though while it was sleeping cause they are blind in the dark? This is why I decided to go with the 1/4" hardware cloth. i think chicken wire has too large of holes couldnt a rat just chew through it?
I worry about how our chicks will do when we finally put them outside in their coop.
I think diapers is going too far but I am trying to remember where I put that baby monitor. Excellent Idea, at least i can rest peacefully the first couple nights. Then I will probably stop using it.
Also plan on digging out that Christmas rope light to run around the top of the run, heck I might even let my texan show and get some chili pepper party lights, run them on a timer at dusk and presto.

 

[zowieyellowflame]

Oh now just wait a sec.... my husband has just said no to the baby monitor. ha ha, guess I will comply! Just like when I went to get 4 hatching eggs..... "NO MORE THAN 4" and I came home with 6" ba haha!!!
I have never heard of a rat killing chickens.... maybe chicks? Oh God. Now more OCD. I thought the rats were just to bother me.... not the chickens too!
The chicken wire is only outside in the run. So in broad daylight, a rat or simular sized animal could get into the run and then I guess into the coop. But the coop is protected with wood, double walled and insulated for most of it.
Back to the light in the coop..... maybe just a tiny led lantern thing? I got this battery run led lantern thing for Xmas for camping, enough light to illuminate a small tent. Maybe that would be a compromise? I feel torn because they have had 24 hr light of some kind since November and only now is egg production dwindling. I have added BOSS, oyster shell, grit and I will continue with apple cider vinegar (mom) If my chickens go to bed when the sun goes down, they enter the coop, roost and put their head in their wing at about 7:30 or so. If it is rainy and they have no idea of time, they are still up and about at 9 pm. I reduce the light and I don't know what happens after that because I go to bed myself. Regardless of the weather/coop situation, the egg production has dropped in the last week. I will read more of your links regarding molting. I am just surprised they would do it this time of yr!