Is there a downside to putting a light in the coop for the winter months?

[Dboohiking]

As a solution for the freezing temps, an option that we had considered was adding on tape pipe warmers and run a line around the coop or through the boxes. This is electrical tape that wraps around pipes- or even a reptile version available- for low heat, evenly distributed around where you want it. They can also come with a thermostat built in such that you sent the temp at say 32* for it to automatically turn on.

 

[AKchicken1]

Heat tape and heat traces would have to be kept away from the chickens. They are a fire hazard without curious chickens with pointy beaks. I would personally avoid heat traces.

As a solution for the freezing temps, an option that we had considered was adding on tape pipe warmers and run a line around the coop or through the boxes. This is electrical tape that wraps around pipes- or even a reptile version available- for low heat, evenly distributed around where you want it. They can also come with a thermostat built in such that you sent the temp at say 32* for it to automatically turn on. 

 

[Brookliner]

This is my first winter with chickens. I have a heat bulb in their coop and have noticed that when I turn it off they won't go inside once it's dark. I went down Saturday night to give them water and lock them up for the evening and they were all in a heap in the snow sleeping. As soon as I went in an turned the light on they all came running inside like they had been locked out the whole time! This has happened every time I turned their light off in the morning for the day. I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to mess up their laying cycle by having a light on 24/7, but I also don't want them sitting outside in the cold all day like a bunch of dummies. They are only 3 months old and haven't even started laying yet so not sure if the light will mess with them or not.

You need to train them to roost at night. Have a small light on in the coop that goes off just after dark. That way they will follow the light in to the coop and roost. When the light goes out they will go to sleep on the roost.

 

[Brookliner]

Wow, interesting comments. I put lights on at 6am and get about 3 - 4 eggs a day from my 15 mixed heritage hens in winter - I also have a couple of red light heatlamps in the stable on all night when it's well below freezing (I am in Canada) because my rooster has an enormous comb (also coat it in Vaseline) wish I could find heatlamps without light though - my daughter in Australia has them.

If you look in the pet store in the reptile section you will find ceramic heat bulbs. They give off no light only heat. They come in 100 and 150 watt and perhaps smaller wattage. You can get them on line too.

 

[Gifa]

Ups

• Higher egg production
• Some added warmth
• Delays molting

Downs

• Fire Hazard
• Could promote feather picking
• Roosters crowing at night
• Hens will use up their finite supply of eggs within 2-3 years and you will need to "turn over" your flock sooner.
• Coop will be messier as the birds will be milling about versus sitting on the roost
• Could attract predators
  

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Ups

• Higher egg production
• Some added warmth
• Delays molting

Downs

• Fire Hazard
• Could promote feather picking
• Roosters crowing at night
• Hens will use up their finite supply of eggs within 2-3 years and you will need to "turn over" your flock sooner.
• Coop will be messier as the birds will be milling about versus sitting on the roost
• Could attract predators
  

No one should ever have a white bulb on all night. Chickens need a dark period. In fact, their bodies are actually reacting to the shorter dark period, not the longer light period, when you add light. More than 18 hours of light daily will increase the risk of cannibalization and lower egg production.

And what predator comes into the light? Many people put on a light to DETER predators.

 

[guineafowlSA]

Thank you for that!

 

[guineafowlSA]

If you look in the pet store in the reptile section you will find ceramic heat bulbs. They give off no light only heat. They come in 100 and 150 watt and perhaps smaller wattage. You can get them on line too.

Thank you for this information.

 

[Gifa]

No one should ever have a white bulb on all night. Chickens need a dark period. In fact, their bodies are actually reacting to the shorter dark period, not the longer light period, when you add light. More than 18 hours of light daily will increase the risk of cannibalization and lower egg production.

And what predator comes into the light? Many people put on a light to DETER predators.

A Rooster crowing at 9pm or at 2am... whether you have the light stay on after sunset or come on before sunrise is undesirable...

And a very hungry, desperate predator knows no bounds...In my experience... Urban Racoons and Coyotes are not deterred by lights, and stray dogs are definitely not deterred by lights... Neither are teenagers, and as far as I am concerned... if they are up to no good around my coop, teenagers are just as bad as predators... This is why my list says "COULD" not definitely will.

 

[StacyAK]

You need to train them to roost at night. Have a small light on in the coop that goes off just after dark. That way they will follow the light in to the coop and roost. When the light goes out they will go to sleep on the roost.

I have been meaning to get some sort of timer for their light. Guess I will have to get my butt in gear and get it done. The other night when I went down, all the pullets were outside sleeping in the snow. I went inside and turned the light on and only the rooster was inside, sound asleep. I looked at him and was like "wow dude, way to care for your flock!" Silly chickens