Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

There's a floodlight on the garage close to the coop that we're thinking of leaving on for the girls in the winter. Right now it's just motion-sensitive but thinking they might need more light in that area.

Supplemental lighting for winter laying?
Needs to be in the coop, a timer is essential.

 

[aart]

Worthless 'snow scoop' becomes chicken run drain pit cover.

 

[ChickenMathLady]

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Wate...ght+timer&qid=1602799479&s=lamps-light&sr=1-2

I'm seeing lots of rope lights like this but wondering how you get a programmable timer for them?

 

[aart]

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Wate...ght+timer&qid=1602799479&s=lamps-light&sr=1-2

I'm seeing lots of rope lights like this but wondering how you get a programmable timer for them?

Solar is not consistent enough for SL, unless you have a system that can gather and store enough power.....and you can wire in a timer.

 

[ChickenMathLady]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...=as2&tag=thechichi-20&linkId=XVNMOSIYR6OW2MUK Something like this for a timer? I have to figure out a way to get electricity out to the coop anyway so plug could work.

 

[ChickenMathLady]

https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Wate...ope+light&qid=1602800212&s=lamps-light&sr=1-4 possibly something like this with a timer built in? If it goes 6 hours on and 18 hours off that could work as long as there is a way to set when it starts.

 

[aart]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...=as2&tag=thechichi-20&linkId=XVNMOSIYR6OW2MUK Something like this for a timer? I have to figure out a way to get electricity out to the coop anyway so plug could work.

Yep.

https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Wate...ope+light&qid=1602800212&s=lamps-light&sr=1-4 possibly something like this with a timer built in? If it goes 6 hours on and 18 hours off that could work as long as there is a way to set when it starts.

Eh, maybe...not sure I'd trust it.

 

[1muttsfan]

Birds do not need light at night, any more than we do. They do need a lightless period to get their rest. If you want to provide an extended day length to increase laying, the lights should come on in the morning. That allows the light to decrease naturally at the end of the day, and allows the birds to find their perches and relax before bedtime, instead of having sudden darkness.

How far from an outdoor GFI plug is your coop? I have in the past used heavy-gauge (14) for over 100 feet to provide electricity for electric fencers and stock tank heaters.

 

[RaZ]

Quite the score today. 7 racks that work was going to put in the dumpster. I asked & the store manager said I could have them. On the condition that I got them out of there today.
I was thinking positively & took the trailer to work. It took about an hour to load up and secure these old steel carts. Quite heavy they were.

I'm going to use them for wood racks. There were 7 carts and I'll take the casters off to reuse for work benches in the garage. The casters alone are more than worth the effort to reclaim them. I hate to see good stuff go to waste or sent to landfills. This was rusty gold to me.

 

[Sally PB]

There's a floodlight on the garage close to the coop ... Right now it's just motion-sensitive

We have this kind of set up as well, with two bulbs to cover the parking area, which is next to the coop. One light is blue, one light is red. Hubby put it in a long time ago, and I don't know why the colors...?

Anyway, it won't be long until I am turning on the light for when he comes home, and he will turn it on in the morning when he leaves. I have also seen the light pop on if something big enough falls/flies by it. We also have a light by the entry door (normal white light) that will be on at the same times. So... sporadic red and blue light shining above (not directly into) the coop windows. Regular light a bit farther away. Is this going to cause problems?