Just Curious........

[cajun1]

I have read where some chickens can't wait to get out of their coop in the mornings. Mine are just the opposite, I open the chicken door at 6:30-7am every morning, but they stay on their roost till 10:-11am then slowly come out to the run. Does anyones chickens do this? Maybe I'm doing something wrong ??? What are your thoughts ???

 

[Happy Chooks]

How dark is your coop?

 

[3 Chicks]

Interesting...I was just wondering the same thing about my girls this morning. Happy Chooks, does the coop need to be really dark to lure them out in the morning?

 

[cajun1]

How dark is your coop?

I wondered about that. Currently, I am only using a 12 volt light. ( A tail light bulb type). It's in a fixture that was used on my old trailer as an front door light. So it's not real bright in the coop, but bright enough to see the roost, food, water and nesting boxes. Think I should brighten it up ?

 

[terryg]

Chickens have terrible nighttime eyesight which is why they put themselves to bed before nightfall. If your coop is dark in the morning then they can't see their way out. It's one reason why so many of the prefab, small coops are badly designed - coops should have windows to let light and air in. Conversely, I knew someone with a set-up where the girls had to go under the coop and up a ramp to go roost. It was too dark under there and they couldn't find their way into the coop at dusk. It always helps to see the world from your animal's perspective

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Yes, I would make it brighter. Chickens don't see well in the dark, and with the less light, it will also affect their laying and you won't get as many eggs. If there are windows, then let the light in!