Raising Chickens in Oregon!

[BellaBelinski]

Hello to everyone who will read this!

We live in Oregon and are raising chickens for the first time. As most probably know, Oregon has ~ 9 months of rain (maybe not quite that much, but it sure seems like it). It rains, and it really rains. I will probably put them in their coop on those really rainy days. So, should I be providing some kind of light source for them during the day? We have a small A-frame coop for them with no windows (just the side that opens up for cleaning, and the door to their nesting boxes). I don't want it to get too warm, or have them become dependent on the heat. Would a 25 watt bulb be enough light for them during the day?

 

[Den in Penn]

If your going to coop them in a box with no windows, a light is a must. If its a small coop 25 watts should do it. Do they have run? If they do you could cover part of it.

 

[darin367]

I LIVE UP 1 STATE WHERE WE GET 9 1/2 MONTHS OF RAIN..... i have a light on a timer that goes on at 6 am and off at 7 pm... i run it year around, i've got some nice vent holes in my coop to let the steam out, you'd be surprised how much steam comes off them when they're wet... the light is not for heat but for eggs... we get down into the teens at night in winter and even single digits now n then, no light at night and no door on the coop..... when the rain drops get over pea sized they'll go inside, but they don't mind normal rain.... put it this way, none have headed south.. they keep coming back, must like it here!!!!!!!

 

[BellaBelinski]

I have a nice big enclosed run for them. I didn't think about covering it. That's a good idea! Thanks Den!

 

[BellaBelinski]

Along with covering part of my run, I think I'll get a light with a timer too. I'm not worried about eggs in the winter because we're going to let nature do it's thing, but I do worry about them getting enough light to be active. I guess I'll just open the coop and let them decide when they want to come in or go out. I think cutting out some vent holes is probably a good idea. Thanks for the input!!