Our 3 chickens are still not settling into their coop very well. Two of them go in at dusk but curl up in the nest boxes. The other one has a favourite little spot in the run behind a rock and we will inevitably find her curled up there. Not sure whether she is getting bullied by the other two, they seem to get on well enough but it's strange that she always seems to want to sleep outside the coop. Anyway, my partner and I both work quite long hours so occasionally we do our evening round-up quite late, and I'm concerned about shoving poor little Rocky into the coop then leaving her in the dark to sort herself out. I know a few members here have lighting set up to extend the day, but does anyone use a dim little nightlight to help the chooks settle into the coop? Good idea or bad idea?
I do. I have a regular childs nite-lite w/a 7 watt bulb that is left on 24/7, so i never forget to turn it on, I just leave it on. I did this because the first time my chicks went into the coop, they were probably 7 or 8 weeks old, and when I closed them up for the nite and turn the light off, there was total panic, they had never been in total darkness before and were scared, that totally fixed the problem. Good luck.
I also use a 7 watt bulb 24/7. My chickens coop is completely dark without it and I will find them out in the run where the yard light hits without it! May not be a problem in some areas but, winter is coming here and we can get below zero air temps plus wind chill. I'd rather they be inside. They also were laying out of the nest boxes and laying rubber shelled eggs. That ended with the light.
Mine have night lights too. It is also good if you want to move around in the coop or peek in to see how they are doing.
I put in cheap solar garden lights. I take them out in the morning and let them recharge. I have some around their yard too so I can see better.
Brilliant, thanks everyone - I'll set it up this weekend. I was worried that I was being a bit silly - if so then at least I'm not alone
Quote:I hope someone replies as this is a 7 month old thread. I've read a bunch of posts on lighting and still have a few questions about coop lighting. So far my 16 wk old hens have had dim light at night. It started with the red heat lamp and once that wasn't needed it seemed like light was necessary if nothing else to check on them. Last night the green light bulb (which my dh dubbed the "party light") burned out. So I scrambled around and ended up with a 11W bulb painted yellow to dim it further. It's still brighter than the party light. Will this affect them? These days it's hot in the coop so the extra wattage of the party bulb isn't necessary. Currently the highest roost is partially lit by the light which is higher. Should I shade the roost? Not sure I could see to count but I want what's best for the girls. Then looking ahead . . . maybe I shouldn't! * laugh * What do you do when the cold weather hits and you use lighting as a source of some heat? Or do you? Doesn't putting them in bright light throw off the poor girls? My mom left a light on in the coop 24/7 - that doesn't seem quite right either. BTW - They loll about outside during the day. I have a timed 75W light in the coop. After they roost at dusk I go out and close the chicken door. If I've been away for the evening I feel the need to count beaks & butts (all in a row) Light is needed for that. Plus I check to see things are kosher for the next morning. REALLY appreciate advice! Prairie Chick --------- 5 RIRs, 6 Araucanas, 1 kitty, a borrowed horse and a d,dh.
I keep lights on for my birds - it is also a kind of protection against night predators because the chickens can see them coming and start the noise and even avoid the claw and fang. They sleep just fine with the lights on. Some even enjoy the delicious bugs drawn to the light.
Thanks LuAnnKeller I ended up just buying another party light. We'll be gone for a few days. After that I need to sort out what's best. It sounds like heating the coop with a bulb in the winter isn't necessary. We usually don't get anything below the teens here. Love this forum . . . lots to learn! Prairie Chick
Nightlight here too. I use a little, bathroom nitelight...provides just a bit of light so they can sort of see what they're doing. And I can peek in and make sure everyone is accounted for.