Lights on in the coop

[buckrut]

I just got 10 week old chicks, although it being warm here in Virginia I've heard mixed signals about having some sort of light in the coop for them at night. I heard it add to their sence of security. thoughts?

 

[savingpurple]

not a real experienced chicken person but mine do not like the light on. I let it get naturally darker. I use a flashlight in there at night when I lock them up, because if they get used to the dusk, and then I go in and flip the light on, they seem to get all riled up.

I always let them get settled on the roosts, and then go in, use my flashlight to lock up the inside door. They are curious as to what I am doing, but they just sit there talking quietly to me. I tried using the light at first,and they would all stand back up, some tried to fly onto areas that were to small for them to safely land, and had near disasters, so learned quickly that the flashlight just keeps them all calmer, and quiet, and they are MUCH more settled and relaxed.

Some that are much more experienced probably can add more insight then myself.

 

[Chick Charm]

At 10 weeks they should be and want to be out braving nature. No need for any light. Not even for security. A 3 week old or a 4 week old may want light on for security but 10 weeks,,,,, no way.

 

[islandchickens]

We are in SC & decided against a light in the coop. Our 7 birds are doing great w/out it.

 

[chickenbythesea]

ours are a week old and so we have a heat lamp on... hoping that in about 4 weeks that will all be over with. Our weather here in nova scotia (as in many places) has been off this year and we've had the wettest, coolest spring in my life. I think we went 66 day with constant raid and even though it's almost the end of june it's only in the low teens (Celsius) and normally it's in the 20's by now (that's 80's american). I think at 10 weeks they'll have no prob with no light.

 

[Nicole01]

We only have a light in the coop for when I keep the door shut. Otherwise, it's 100% pitch black. I keep the door closed on stormy and when we will have super cold days. I do not leave the light on during the night hours.

 

[buckrut]

thank you , this is has been a great help

 

[TroutsChicks]

Mine are just over 5 weeks old, and they are terrified of the dark! I tried changing to a red cfl, the light was darker red and not as bright as the heat lamp...they wouldn't stop screaming until i changed it back.

but i love them and don't want them unhappy so i changed it back..any ideas on weaning them off the light?

 

[ECBW]

Lighting really is not necessary. Think how it must be like in nature. When the sun is down, it is dark for all (big, little or new born). The light in the brooder is to provide warmth for the little ones as substitute mommy.

Only other time I use light is pre-dawn light in winter. This is to stimulate egg laying according to the experts.

 

[BoltonChicken]

Lighting really is not necessary. Think how it must be like in nature. When the sun is down, it is dark for all (big, little or new born).

This is perfectly correct. Sometimes owners tend to insert their own emotions into the chickens. At ten weeks chickens don't need any light at all.

i love them and don't want them unhappy so i changed it back..any ideas on weaning them off the light?

Yes. Cut the light off. In a few hours they'll shut up and go to sleep. Tomorrow they won't even remember they needed a light.