Is my coop too dark?

[ashley12]

My coop is not very light inside. The only light that gets in is through the chicken door, and a 2' x 1' hole in the door(covered with plexiglass). It is not real dark, but not super light. Could this be the reason I haven't got an egg yet? There is no electric, but a can run an extension chord, although I don't want a chord running through my yard. The hens, two buff cochins, go in and out of the coop several times a day, but no eggs.

 

[al6517]

Chickens will lay much better when they can come out and see light or have a good light source for 12-16 hrs during the spring and summer.

AL

 

[ashley12]

They are out of the coop just about all day. They are not locked up in the coop.

 

[lelisabeth]

I'm curious as well. Mine aren't old enough to lay, but I think I was dumb to place my coop/run combo on the north side of the garage. The only light into the coop is from a vent at the top west side, and the run has a solid roof, so no sunlight from overhead. Is this bad?

 

[al6517]

Quote:
Oh well then you should be fine I have the same set-up, and I can't buy a big enough basket to carry eggs in.

AL

 

[thecochincoop]

I don't think that a dark coop will hurt them. I have wooden coops with no windows, just the light that comes in the door. They go in and out as they please and are laying eggs. Maybe the light cycle outside is not enough yet. Make sure you are letting them out early in the morning too

 

[RhodeRunner]

Have they laid yet, at all? Cochins tend to be slow starting birds, and not the best of layers as well. I would think that as long as your birds have axcess to the great outdoors and there is sun then they would be fine. I know where I live with the rain the sun has hardly been around for two weeks.

 

[ashley12]

I just bought them a week ago, and they were laying then. I realize that they have to adjust for a while, but I thought the light in the coop might have something to do with it. I guess they just need more time.

 

[gkeesling]

when I added 2 americaunas to my flock, they were laying when I got them, but it took over a week for them to start laying at my place. I think they had to get acclimated to the new pecking order. After they started laying though, they did just fine.

 

[cmom]

Chickens stress pretty easily. Any changes in their lives can throw off their laying habits. Be patient I'm sure they will pick up the speed after awhile. It could be a month or more. Chickens are creatures of habit and like routine.