Raising Chickens to Hens for the first time! (Maryland)

[lazy gardener]

My door is on a timer, and I have it set to open shortly after day break, and close shortly after dusk. This gives me an added sense of security that any lingering predators will not be around when the birds are let into their run. When I have juveniles, they like to push the envelope about staying up past curfew.

I also check my door and often even go out after it closes to be sure every one went in. Last summer, and late into the fall, I had 2 ninnies who liked to camp out in the sun room trusses if they could get away with it. My actual door is in a home made track, so it occasionally binds and needs tweaking. i think we've finally solved that issue.

 

[Chickassan]

This sounds more feasible. I know I've seen stuff still lurking around shortly after daylight and I'd definitely still have to go do a head count due to slowpokes and goofballs.

My door is on a timer, and I have it set to open shortly after day break, and close shortly after dusk. This gives me an added sense of security that any lingering predators will not be around when the birds are let into their run. When I have juveniles, they like to push the envelope about staying up past curfew.

I also check my door and often even go out after it closes to be sure every one went in. Last summer, and late into the fall, I had 2 ninnies who liked to camp out in the sun room trusses if they could get away with it. My actual door is in a home made track, so it occasionally binds and needs tweaking. i think we've finally solved that issue.

 

[bruceha2000]

I am worried it wouldn't work correctly. So the sensor is good? Clouds anything sets if off at the wrong time?

No issues with "false" closings. My coop is a converted stall in a barn and I originally had the photocell outside on the west wall to make sure it got enough light. The door didn't shut until it was pitch black inside the barn, well past the time the hens have gone in. I've since moved it into the barn alley (which is their indoor run) up high near the "ceiling" so the door closes earlier. It is pretty dark in the coop except when the setting sun is coming through the west facing windows ~8' from the front of the coop.

Don't you have lollygagging hens though? You know ones that hang out as long as physically possible. What do you do about that?

It has happened though the PulletShut has a feature where it will reopen for a short time after it has been closed for IIRC 5 minutes so any stragglers can get in.

And, to your concern, if you have it on a timer you need to make sure it is set to close after the hens are inside, that means either permanently set to "past sundown on June 20" which is WAY too late most of the year or you have to adjust it every few weeks through the year.

 

[Living_Legend]

So my chicks are Getting delivered April 6th! It's official. I'm using a heat plate that u raise once a week and they are staying in my house to start. Do I turn the lights out in the room they are staying in according to the sun up and down? .....i ask because people with heat lamps are giving chicks 24 hour light....

 

[aart]

So my chicks are Getting delivered April 6th! It's official. I'm using a heat plate that u raise once a week and they are staying in my house to start. Do I turn the lights out in the room they are staying in according to the sun up and down? .....i ask because people with heat lamps are giving chicks 24 hour light....

If room has good bright natural light, no need for using room light.
If you do need room light, I turn it on after the sun comes up and a couple hours before the sun goes down so they experience sunrise and sunset.

 

[Folly's place]

The red heat lamps are less of a problem for the chicks. I have their brooder under normal lighting during the day, and darker at night. 'Natural' lighting 24/7 is too much!
Mary

 

[bruceha2000]

So my chicks are Getting delivered April 6th! It's official. I'm using a heat plate that u raise once a week and they are staying in my house to start. Do I turn the lights out in the room they are staying in according to the sun up and down? .....i ask because people with heat lamps are giving chicks 24 hour light....

I wouldn't take the "raise once a week" as a rule. Raise it as needed as the chicks grow. They should be able to get their backs up against it comfortably, they shouldn't have to stand up to do so. They don't sleep standing up

Chicks should not have 24x7 light, it isn't natural nor does it help them sleep. They will be up at all hours peeping. That is why some of us advocate for the Mama Heating Pad cave, your plate is similar
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[Blooie]

The red heat lamps are less of a problem for the chicks. I have their brooder under normal lighting during the day, and darker at night. 'Natural' lighting 24/7 is too much!
Mary

Hmmmm...mine all seemed to thrive on natural day/night cycles, even being brooded outdoors.

 

[alexa009]

Usually when I raise chicks they don't like the dark and seem to be loud and scared when I turn the lights off. Even when I move them outside when they are like 7-8 weeks old they don't like it. It's probably not a bad idea to turn them off just to get them used to it though.

 

[Living_Legend]

When do you name your chickens (those who do) meaning at what age can you tell them apart? Sorry I'm bored and out of questions for right now.

(I get my first chicks in April!)