inside coop: dark or light?

[joymac]

I'm brand new to chickens, have a new coop waiting for my little babies to grow big enough for it. We recycled old wood for the house part and although it has a rather large window, it seems dark in there. Is dark ok or would it be better to paint the inside?

 

[clairabean]

I painted my inside a bright sunny yellow. It seems to brighten it up in there.

You may have a severe egg decrease by not providing light in winter.

 

[simplynewt]

I just had to install a window to the back door of my coop (made of plexi-glass, cut to fit) so it would add alittle more light into the coop. There were only two before and they were on the same side of the coop opposite of the nest boxes. Adding the new window was a big improvement for the birds as well as for me as I can now see better in the coop when I go out at night to check on them.

Adding a window is not that difficult as you can pick up a piece of plexi-glass at Lowes and cut it into place in a solid wall of your coop.

 

[joymac]

I have an old transom window on one side and it's about 2' x 3.5 feet wide (the wall of the building is 4 feet wide). I'd send a pic but I haven't posted enough to qualify, that's how new I am! Even with the window though it just seems kind of dreary inside.

 

[simplynewt]

As clairabean says, paint does wonders. I have p[ainted my coop floor with a white paint and the walls are a blondish color.

 

[fireguy56]

Hi, Yes, you definitely need light in the coop. Paint or not, not truely an issue...the chickens really don't care. But windows for light and ventilation are a must do.
Erik

 

[nuchickontheblock]

Chickens don't see well in the dark, so might be why mine seem happier and prefer being in the light. Even with a couple of windows, our coop seems dim once the season changes and the sun gets lower, so I do add light, especially early morning. But on a dark dreary day, if they might be mostly indoors due to weather, I keep some low light on all the time.

 

[Homestead Family]

I think the window will be sufficient but if the painting helps to make it seem lighter, then go for it! What direction does the window face by the way?

 

[joymac]

I think that it faces north, plus the coop is partially shaded by a big ol' magnolia tree.

 

[Ole rooster]

I painted mine white inside and am I ever glad I did. My clean out door is a 31X36 glass door which lets light in. I have three other windows and it still seems dark. I hate to think how dark it would have been without the paint.