red heat light at night effecting egg laying habits?

[coolchick]

It' is going to be below 0 here in MT for a couple of days and I wanted to provide our red sex links with a little extra heat at night. I am using a red heat light that I used for them as chicks, but I am concerned that this kind of light might effect their internal clocks. I have read not to give them more than fourteen hours of light. Does anybody know if this red light effects their sleep and egg laying habits? Your help is always appreciated.

 

[crooked stripe]

I can't answer your question about egg laying but I put a red heat light in my coop for the girls and they stayed awake all night and scratching on the floor where it was the coldest. I now run a white heat lamp on the waterer for 12 hours a day to keep it from freezing so fast. This also keeps the birds on the roost at night where is some 20 degrees warmer.

 

[Chickenfortress]

I have red light to keep the waterer thawed. My birds lay 6 a week each, with no interruptions from the cold yet.

 

[portlandpeeps]

i am very curious about this too.

last night i decided to put a red light in the coop for a bit of warmth... it's suppose to be well below freezing here for several days.

i checked on the hens several times and they were snuggled in and sleeping as if that light didn't exist. i'm wondering if they see red.

 

[Casa Pollo Magico]

I have also been struggling with the light question. I have had my girls with a white heat lamp in the coopas soon as they come in from the outside run. Its on all the time this past winter. Is this bad for them? They roost ok but they never have it dark. Do chickens need dark?

I have heard that chickens can not see the red heat light, but then comes the question does the red light count for extra light during the winter months? Or only warmth?

Thank you for any help!

 

[jubylives]

I use a red heat lamp and it is 10 degrees F right now and I got the most (10 eggs) I've ever gotten out of them. I usually average 6-8 eggs and got 11. I do not believe it affects them at all.

jeremy

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Yes, lights on 24/7 is stressful for them and can lead to pecking issues. All creatures, humans included, need periods of night and day.
If I wanted to use a light for heat only purposes I would use a red light.

 

[Mom 2em All]

I used a red light for heat until recently- but my girls were up as early as three a.m. fussing and ready to start their day- I know they arent supposed to see red, but they didnt read that instruction manual.

I switched to a radiator style heater, and now they are sleeping in until daylight.

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

Mine don't even notice the red light.

 

[sewincircle]

Mine have never been affected by the red light. They always roost all night and wake at first light! Egg production has remained the same with and without.