Really are wondering if we should be doing this or not. When the heat light was no longer needed by the chickens, we turned it off. Needless to say we decided to unplug it, right before dark one evening. The chicks cried and sounded like they did when they were a few days old. I could not stand to hear them crying like they were scared to death. We then put in a regular low wattage bulb and they were fine. We have even tried to sneak down when they are sleeping and turn it off, they cry immediately. Are we ruining them by letting them have a night light? As soon as I turn the light on they start going into the coop from their run. We would like to eventually let them become free range, but worry that they won't return to the coop without the light. We have a long way to go before even trying to let them go loose for a few hours a day.
and from Ohio. So glad you joined. I had the same problem recently. I used a 4 watt night light and plugged it in close to them and gradually moved it further and further away from them so the darkness would creep up slowly. They no longer have the light and are doing just fine.
also from Ohio. I was lucky, my little ones did fine without a light, they safe, I just forgot to turn it on one night, went out after dark all was quiet and they were fine. Whew, I lucked out. Good luck.
We turned coop light off, but left more distant porch light on that shone into coop area for a while. They did fine! Their little peeps sure make you think they're hyperventilating, but they do settle down quickly. Welcome from NC!
& from Louisiana! I've realized one thing raising chickens. They hate change, so it takes them awhile to get used to something different!! Good Luck!
Thanks everyone for the info. I was thinking maybe I was making a mistake leaving a light on. You have all been so helpful. I never knew they could make themselves sound like little peeps again. Turned that light off and had never heard such crying in my life.
