Lights that slowly dim before turning off?

[JCinNM]

Is there such a thing? What are they called so I can search for them? I want to keep the lights on in the coop for an extra hour after sunset. But worried the chickens can’t see well enough in the dark to get on the roost. If the lights slowly dimmed over 5-10 minutes before turning off that would seem more natural. Am I just over thinking???

 

[mamajos]

I have my lights turn off a bit before it gets dark, so they can still see to roost. If you are wanting to give them more light for egg laying, turning the lights on earlier in the early morning to give them the hours of light they need is an option.

 

[JCinNM]

Why do you want to keep the lights on for an hour after sunset?

Not sure it matters but in winter I’m not always home in time for headcount. Would rather not wake them up every time.

 

[JCinNM]

I have my lights turn off a bit before it gets dark, so they can still see to roost. If you are wanting to give them more light for egg laying, turning the lights on earlier in the early morning to give them the hours of light they need is an option.

That’s a good idea too but still would prefer gradual lighting than something so abrupt. Also need to extend lighting in the evening, not the morning.

 

[DobieLover]

Not sure it matters but in winter I’m not always home in time for headcount. Would rather not wake them up every time.

Wear a headlamp.
Don't worry about waking them up. Just put the lamp on a lower setting and aim it down so it doesn't shine directly on them. I do that all the time when I'm doing exams.

 

[DVO50]

If you have WiFi that reaches your coop, there are WiFi controlled bulbs and certain alarm clocks that have a sunset feature. Search for lights with sunset feature.

 

[aart]

Wear a headlamp.
Don't worry about waking them up. Just put the lamp on a lower setting and aim it down so it doesn't shine directly on them. I do that all the time when I'm doing exams.

Ditto Dat!

 

[JCinNM]

If you have WiFi that reaches your coop, there are WiFi controlled bulbs and certain alarm clocks that have a sunset feature. Search for lights with sunset feature.

Thank you DVO50!! I found exactly what I was looking for on Amazon.

 

[suburbanfarmermi]

That is a interesting idea. I have wondered if you have smart dimmable outlets and light bulbs if you could set up a program that reduces the light every 5 or 10 minutes to mimic the natural sunset. I am not into the smart home stuff so I decided to add light to the start of the day and let them continue to go to "bed" naturally with the sun.



here is a good article on adding light to your coop CLICK HERE

 

[suburbanfarmermi]

wonder if something like THIS could be programed....
for example:
5:00pm = 100%
5:05pm = 90%
5:10pm = 80%
5:15pm = 70%
5:20pm = 60%
5:25pm = 50%
5:30pm = 40%
5:35pm = 30%
5:40pm = 20%
5:45pm = 10%
5:50pm = OFF