Programmable Lightbulb apps

[KluDatCoop]

This is our (and our hens') first winter upcoming. We're in northern Illinois, our chickens have a Deluxe Coupe (I'm a car guy) that is fairly weather tight and well-insulated. The run is sheltered. As the tech guy, I installed Philips Hue light in coop, and I'm learning how to program it, somewhat because I don't trust the digital light timer, somewhat because I just enjoy the challenge. I'm finding the apps and programming a little challenging, and I'm looking for experience. I'm using the Philips Hue app and Hue lab for programming and Apple Home app for monitoring. Other apps seem to be overkill for just white lights. Any other experiences with this process?

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I have TP link bulbs and switches and smart plugs... The bulb I have come on at 230 am at 10% brightness, then up 10% each minute until full bright and off again at 430 pm. the app is KASA
Also I have a few WEMO plugs/switches but I find the KASA app easier and overall more dependable.

So I guess thats no help

Lol

Gary

 

[MTRBLE]

So I just had to move my two Silkie roosters to another place that is not where I live. They have always slept in the house with us, they are about 8 months old, and I have been worried sick that their heat lamp will go out and I won't know it. Is there something that can be programmed like these lights you guys are talking about that would notify me if the light went out?

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

So I just had to move my two Silkie roosters to another place that is not where I live. They have always slept in the house with us, they are about 8 months old, and I have been worried sick that their heat lamp will go out and I won't know it. Is there something that can be programmed like these lights you guys are talking about that would notify me if the light went out?

I would wean them off of heat and then you can rest easy. No matter what tech in place, if the power goes out the heat goes out and whatever system in place will not work. I do not know much about silkies but 8 months old they should be fully feathered I would think?

Good luck

Gary

 

[MTRBLE]

I keep getting mixed info regarding Silkies needing heat or not as they are more delicate for lack of a better word choice at the moment. Even if they are not actually more delicate I am not sure how to get them off the light as they have been in my 75 - 80* house their entire life and its in the mid-thirties outside and going down quickly. I have read that a drastic temp change can be very bad and they stay at the light most of the time right now and are shaking; I am guessing shivering when they are away from it. I am hoping they will adjust with this much as it is but I am worried about it. I have a temp gauge in the greenhouse that I had to make into a coop really quick, but it only stays warm right under the light at night. It is not by my choice that they had to be moved and going into winter is a really bad time for it to begin with. I am very not happy and quite stressed about it, to be honest. I am not sure how I grew so attached to them. <3

 

[KluDatCoop]

So I just had to move my two Silkie roosters to another place that is not where I live. They have always slept in the house with us, they are about 8 months old, and I have been worried sick that their heat lamp will go out and I won't know it. Is there something that can be programmed like these lights you guys are talking about that would notify me if the light went out?

There are remote monitoring thermometers that work on the Apple HomeKit/Home app. You can have alarms set, and it will alert on your phone, tablet, computer, etc.
Here is a link to a site that you might find helpful. I also have a digital security camera in our coupe, with infrared capability, so I can see in the coop on my digital device of choice.

I'm sorry about your dilemma. One thing I can tell you for sure - worrying yourself sick will not make your chickens more comfortable. Do the best you can, try not to catastrophize about what MIGHT go wrong, and satisfy yourself that you've done what is reasonable.

 

[nminusyplusm]

I have Philips Hue bulbs in my house and work studio but I use Stringify for automation because I've integrated them with Arlo cameras and other things on Lutron Caseta switches to do specific actions with motion triggers for day/night and home/away. I only use the Philips app with Apple's Home app for simple on/off. If you're interested in Stringify I can help.