Light in the coop

[Deca]

Hey guys - I installed a lamp on a timer today in the coop; in the sleeping pen to be exact. Is that okay? Or do they need more space with a light on?

Basically they go to sleep around 6pm already nowadays and when they're in, an automatic door closes the sleepig quarters which then switches on a light, so they cannot roam around in the coop itself. Sleeping quarters is quite spacious but they cannot flap their wings or run around.

Thanks!

 

[SueT]

I don't think they need a light, what is it for?

 

[Deca]

Keep them laying eggs, they only get 11ish hours daylight at the moment while they ideally need 16 hours.

They're not laying although they're 22 weeks, so my guess is they get too little light

 

[SueT]

It looks like ours is about 11.5 hours right now, and ours are laying just fine. They may slow down a bit, but I think it's a good idea to give them a break over the winter. They'll lay longer, live longer, when they are under less stress.

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

Everything I've read says that artificial light does increase egg production but at a cost.
The health of the hen suffers and it ultimately will shorten her laying life. In short, they get screwed up, endocrinologically. Artificial light messes with nature.
My girls haven't even started laying yet but I can live with store-bought if it means a healthier longer life for them.
I understand if others need a continuous egg production---speaking for me only.
Nice article from BYC:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chickens-winter-egg-laying-and-lighting.64477/

 

[blackdog043]

If you want to have longer light so they keep laying, it is better to have it come on in the morning. This way their day ends normal as it gets dark. Your way, they are in light and all of a sudden it gets dark. Do they sleep in a separate room than their coop?

Sleeping quarters is quite spacious but they cannot flap their wings or run around.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I installed a lamp on a timer today in the coop; Is that okay?

No matter how you look at chickens the eggs supply in a chicken is a finite resource and on average most chickens produce about 800 eggs in their life time. You are speeding up the process by maybe a few weeks.

You made your decision now stick to it and decide for yourself.
Try one month with and without and let us know your result.

One thing I would strongly recommend is a Ground Fault breaker if you are running an extension cord out to your coop.

Another must especially if you are using an incandescent bulb or heat lamp is a safety chain applied in conjunction to the fixture in addition to the way it may be mounted.

These two must would go a long way in preventing coop fires which seem to happen every year on this site.

 

[Cindy in PA]

If you extend the day, they really should have access to food & water.

 

[jthornton]

Keep them laying eggs, they only get 11ish hours daylight at the moment while they ideally need 16 hours.

They're not laying although they're 22 weeks, so my guess is they get too little light

You need to turn on the light in the morning, not at night. The chickens need time to find their roosting spot and roosting is triggered by the decreasing light.

In my coop the arduino calculates the minutes between sunrise and sunset and if below my set minimum turns on the light in the coop and the run and opens the door in the morning.

Chickens can't see in the dark so when you switch the lights off they just sit where they are. I've watched this on my chicken camera.

JT