lighting in coop

[jmoran]

i just got done building my chicken coop...i do not have electricity in the coop...what kind of lighting should i have in it? there is a small window that allows a small amount of light (the coop is in an barn) how long do the lights stay on? should there be hours of darkness?

 

[Percheron chick]

You don't need light if they are getting some natural light. It is nice to have lights in the winter when it get's dark and you have work to do but the chickens don't care.

 

[nbenevento]

When you say "light" do you mean a heat lamp because they are still young? Older birds don't need light in the coop unless you are trying to extend daylight hours in the winter for egg laying reasons.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The concept of 'small window' warns me that the ventilation may be too little.

 

[chfite]

Here is an article on light for an otherwise dark building using soda bottles filled with water. http://www.gizmag.com/pop-bottles-provide-light/19829/
I put one of these in each of my coops so that I could better see inside during the day. I was surprised and gratified with the results. I mounted the bottles in the side of the coop so as not to compromise the integrity of the roof.

Chris