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

[Gifa]

I hope you know I was writing with humor, if you're referring to my reply. If I knew how to make those jumping smiley faces, I would have added one or two.
I truly enjoy all that I learn from this site and your reply, I thought was great.
I'm trying to put together a winter formula that one of the members recommended as a supplement for my girls.
Where else could I find a more generous and informed set of members.

Thank you. That's why I didn't want to jump to any conclusions. It's sometimes really hard to pick up on humor and whatnot in text.

 

[chickwhispers]

To put smileys and jumping stuff on your reply the smiley face icon is locacated in the text editor tools above the reply box on a pc and to the right of the reply box on the mobile version. At least that's how it is on mine. there many to choose from. Ittook me a little while to figure where to find things too Tonight my phone isn't cooperating and won't let me put the jumping ones on. Sorry

 

[Steena]

OK I think I got how to do it.
This is for you.

 

[wantedman66]

I have been reading these posts the past few days and it seems to be split on wheather to use lite or not,I think like other people have stated it is individual preference.My personal experience was that after using lite last year it definatley increased production and they layed well all winter but seemed to slow down during the spring and summer months and it threw off there molt,so this year I've decided to go the natural way and let nature take it's course.I have over 30 chickens and am only getting 4-6 eggs a day but that's ok because I do not want them to burn out and end up with early retired hens haha.

 

[chickwhispers]

Awesome Steena! Thanks!

 

[Tacampbell1973]

I have been reading these posts the past few days and it seems to be split on wheather to use lite or not,I think like other people have stated it is individual preference.My personal experience was that after using lite last year it definatley increased production and they layed well all winter but seemed to slow down during the spring and summer months and it threw off there molt,so this year I've decided to go the natural way and let nature take it's course.I have over 30 chickens and am only getting 4-6 eggs a day but that's ok because I do not want them to burn out and end up with early retired hens haha.

I completely agree with you on the individual preference. Also a person/chickens situation/age/health may play into it too. As well as how many chickens a person owns may too play a part. Like I said, I am pro light because of my cheaply built coop/predators/ warmth. It rains here in Washington something like 364 days of the year, no joke, so I like the idea that my girls and boys can crawl up onto their perches and dry off. Also I have noticed that my Guiinea Keets will not go in their little barn if they cannot see inside the barn. Also,my birds are incredible fluffy as they are Bantam Cochin so trying to keep them dry is a challenge. Especially their booted feet. I am a huge sucker for my animals. My dog is currently five pounds overweight because she gets her own plate at dinner of whatever we are having. People food. Now I know your not supposed to do that but she is my spoiled baby. Likewise with my birds, I have spoiled them tool I don't think they are overweight, but they definiitely know where the treats comefrom and aren't above jming in my lap to beg.

 

[Steena]

I didn't realize that my little cochin may not dry easily because of her dense feathers and feathered feet.
What should I do to make the winter easier on her??? Straw/hay on the ground of the pen and parts of the recreation area. I have a protective pen around the coop and also an extended area I call the recreation room. It's not as secure as the pen, but I let the girls and guy out and into the recreation room daily, as well as allow them to roam the property when I'm out and about working.
I have shavings inside the coop. Straw in the pen. But what about in the winter when they are out roaming? Do they dry off by their own body heat when perched???
I'm not planning to put a light bulb in the coop, as I thought I would, for some bit of heat in the winter, because from all I've read it keeps them awake and may stress them. I don't care about the egg production. These three (two hens and a cockerel) are our little "bambinos". Like you, we spoil them with everything from meal worms (wish I could find a lot for less) to warm oatmeal.
Thanks for the information. I'll read your response.

 

[Hannahs Hollow]

I didn't realize that my little cochin may not dry easily because of her dense feathers and feathered feet.
What should I do to make the winter easier on her???  Straw/hay on the ground of the pen and parts of the recreation area.  I have a protective pen around the coop and also an extended area I call the recreation room.  It's not as secure as the pen, but I let the girls and guy out and into the recreation room daily, as well as allow them to roam the property when I'm out and about working.
I have shavings inside the coop.  Straw in the pen.  But what about in the winter when they are out roaming?  Do they dry off by their own body heat when perched???
I'm not planning to put a light bulb in the coop, as I thought I would, for some bit of heat in the winter, because from all I've read it keeps them awake and may stress them.  I don't care about the egg production.  These three (two hens and a cockerel) are our little "bambinos".  Like you, we spoil them with everything from meal worms (wish I could find a lot for less) to warm oatmeal.  
Thanks for the information.  I'll read your response.

When I looked into getting my feather footed friends I read somewhere that in winter their feet can get incased in ice, snow and mud. To take care of them you have to give them warm foot baths and if they'll handle it, the blow dryer.

I built my coop and area on a hill so that it wouldn't be low and filled with mud puddles. Any low spots I have filled in with various things from shavings, sand, rocks and earth.

I do lite my coop first thing in the morning for a few hours and in the evening for a few hours just to build up the heat up a little bit before the chickens go in. This morning it was -2 inside the coop. Nothing like that to get you out there at first light to finish insulating the drafty areas! Hopefully tonight they will stay a little warmer not that the cold seems to bother them really. Toes are always warm, bodies are always fluffy and warm but you have to keep an eye on those wattles!

 

[Steena]

OK Warm foot baths!
I'll keep an eye out for icy feet.
Maybe we can all take a warm foot bath together!!!!

On another subject - GMO. If the corn or wheat that the chickens eat is a GMO product won't the eggs be a GMO as well? We probably eat 90% organic. And stay away from anything I can identify as Genetically Modified. But, I'm wondering about the food I give to my flock. I get the cracked corn (their staple) from a farmer who does not believe the seed is genetically modified. But, it could be. What information is out there about feed?

Thanks for the info. I greatly appreciate anything to make life better for all of us.

 

[aart]

OK Warm foot baths!
I'll keep an eye out for icy feet.
Maybe we can all take a warm foot bath together!!!!

On another subject - GMO. If the corn or wheat that the chickens eat is a GMO product won't the eggs be a GMO as well? We probably eat 90% organic. And stay away from anything I can identify as Genetically Modified. But, I'm wondering about the food I give to my flock. I get the cracked corn (their staple) from a farmer who does not believe the seed is genetically modified. But, it could be. What information is out there about feed?

Thanks for the info. I greatly appreciate anything to make life better for all of us.

There is really no way to know for sure.......I don't believe that there is a test the general public, or even the 'organic' farmers, can use to determine if the grains they are using is GMO or not.