Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

The older birds show no sign of a moult. They are over 1 1/2 yo now. I hope they either get on with it now before real cold sets in or wait until after winter.

Wow really??
Mine are all about done, couple weeks ago the poop board was covered in feathers, now there's sheathing 'sparkles' all over.

 

[RaZ]

So I now have my coop fully wired. I have an overhead light on a switch. It's for me if and when I need to go into the coop after dark. I have secured outlets for heated founts and heat lamps for brooding chicks.

Since I'm not brooding chicks at this time I have a free outlet
I'm thinking of putting in a night light.. A soft-white dusk-to-dawn plug-in like I have in the bathroom.

Good idea or not? Opinions?

 

[aart]

Good idea or not? Opinions?

Not. No need, IMO.
Just because it's there, doesn't mean you need to fill it.
Maybe cap it off to keep to 'clean'.
I use a headlight for nightmoves......but do have an overhead light(timed for winter laying)that can be turned on if necessary.

 

[chickflick]

I hope all of you have a pleasant Thanksgiving. My family will be coming and there will be plenty of food to fill our bellies. Lots to be thankful for....
gobble gobble...

 

[chickflick]

RaZ, the chickens will be up partying all night long! Even when I had a heat lamp on, I could see the chickens through the window and see them pretty active. I would not do it...

 

[Folly's place]

I agree, no overnight light on.
Mary

 

[RaZ]

I had the idea after noticing that when the motion light came on outside that a few birds would get of the perch and move around the floor. Then when the light went out they were still down. I thought maybe a dim light would be enough to get back on the perch.

If they get down then they will have to stay down. No night light for them.

 

[aart]

I had the idea after noticing that when the motion light came on outside that a few birds would get of the perch and move around the floor. Then when the light went out they were still down. I thought maybe a dim light would be enough to get back on the perch.

If they get down then they will have to stay down. No night light for them.

Ahh....then I'd turn off the motion lights too.
They won't really dissuade predators, I find them annoying.

 

[RaZ]

The motion lights are for my benefit. My garage is 100 feet from the house and the ground is rocky and uneven. I need to see my way when I am walking. I have fallen a few times. The lights stay on for 3 minutes.
Also, I don't get home from work until well after midnight and I go to the coop to close it up. I really need to get an automatic coop door and stop that midnight stroll.

 

[aart]

The motion lights are for my benefit.

Headlight....one of the best tools I've ever bought.
Started using one while camping years ago,
now use it for all kinds of tasks, including every night to lock up chickens.
Get a good one, with tiltable mount and multi bright settings.