Red light in coop?

[Fiestychick]

Hello! I'm wondering about putting a red light in my coop at night - so that the girls and I can see. Its a large barn - I've tried to research it, but I'm getting mixed information about it. I'd love some expert advice please! My 50+ hens range from 5 weeks to 16 months and 4 grannies that are almost 8 years old thanks so much!!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Chickens need to roost and rest at night, in darkness. They don't use red light very well, but I wouldn't have any light on out there all night. Take a flashlight, use a head lamp, or turn on a light if you need to be there during darkness.
For winter egg production, a small white light on a timer at 3am to 4am until daylight will help.
Mary

 

[gtaus]

Chickens are fine sleeping in the dark at night. They should not need any light at night. If you need a light, then a red light is easier on the eyes transitioning from red light to dark, as compared to a white light to black. If you are working in the barn and need good light, then maybe a white light would be better for your safety.

I guess I might be concerned that turning on a white light might wake up the sleeping chickens, then they start moving around, and when you turn off the light, all of a sudden they might not be on their roosting bar for the night and can't find their way back.

If, for some reason, I have to go inside my chicken coop at night, I'll use a flashlight but shine the light down low and not directly into the chickens sleeping on the roosting bar.

 

[AGeese]

I have a little wall night light, but they do fine in the dark too. I used a red light during winter when they were in the brooder, but they'd get annoyed after too long of it and would peck at it.

 

[My Bagurks]

Chickens use a pineal gland in their head which they use to detect sunlight, seasonal changes, and egg timing. But chickens don’t consider red light as “sunlight.” A strictly red light would be the best as long as it is not too bright. It won’t bother them as much as a white light would. But everyone above is also correct, they don’t need light.

 

[AGeese]

Not to side track the tread, but I've been meaning to ask the question of chicken sight and the use of LEDs. Does anyone know if there is a cycle rate that could affect them?

 

[My Bagurks]

Not to side track the tread, but I've been meaning to ask the question of chicken sight and the use of LEDs. Does anyone know if there is a cycle rate that could affect them?

The cycle rate of any bulb will be determined by the power source and the age of the bulb. I’ve read that chickens see fluorescent light more like strobes because of their kind of light sensitivity. So if chickens can see fluorescent light flicker, they can definitely see LED. LEDs may actually be worse. Fluorescent lights react to fluctuations in power slower than an LED. At 60Hz, your fluorescent light will turn on and off 60 times per second, but because of its delay it will cycle between 100 and 35% light. LEDs, because they’re much quicker, will swing from 100 to 10% with each hert.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hello! I'm wondering about putting a red light in my coop at night - so that the girls and I can see. Its a large barn - I've tried to research it, but I'm getting mixed information about it.

The only reason chickens need to be able to see is when it is getting dark. They need to see well enough to get to where they spend the night, usually on the roosts when they grow up enough. I do that by having a window on my coop. If yours are going to bed now, you don't need to do anything different.

As others have said they need dark downtime. If they don't get some dark downtime they can develop behavioral problems. You probably get cranky if you don't get enough sleep. Too much light can cause certain egg defects. They use light to tell them when to release a yolk to start a new egg through their internal egg making factory. They use changing hours of light to tell them when to molt. Light is important to them, I try to not mess with it too much.

The problem is not that they need to see, it's that you do. Your safety out there is important. Taking them off the roosts at night is a good way to check on them or work with them. Things happen that you need to be out there in the dark. I don't know how dangerous it is for you to walk out there at night. You can install a light if you have electricity. As long as you don't leave it on longer than 15 minutes it's not supposed to interfere with molting or egg laying. Some people find a light you strap to your head to be very useful and it leaves your hands free.

I think your main question is more on the red light or what kind of light you can use out there. I don't have specific knowledge on that, not that I'm comfortable advising you about. I don't know where you are located, this is another case it might be helpful to know your general location. If you are in the USA, I'd suggest calling your county extension office and chatting with them. They may be able to hook you up with an expert, my extension office in Northwest Arkansas did but not all extension offices are the same. If you are in another country your agricultural ministry or whatever it is called may be able to help.

Probably not a lot of help. But if you do install a light I would use one where you turn it on when you arrive and turn it off when you leave. Don't leave it on. And I suspect which light you use doesn't really matter that much in the long term.

 

[AGeese]

The cycle rate of any bulb will be determined by the power source and the age of the bulb. I’ve read that chickens see fluorescent light more like strobes because of their kind of light sensitivity. So if chickens can see fluorescent light flicker, they can definitely see LED. LEDs may actually be worse. Fluorescent lights react to fluctuations in power slower than an LED. At 60Hz, your fluorescent light will turn on and off 60 times per second, but because of its delay it will cycle between 100 and 35% light. LEDs, because they’re much quicker, will swing from 100 to 10% with each hert.

Thanks I had tried looking for info, but found random articles talking about dogs and LED lights. I just switched from a sodium light to an LED for my electrical pole (didn't have a choice unless I wanted to pay for another sodium light) and supposedly the monochrome of the sodium light can mess with your eyes (hadn't noticed)...

I just generally hate white LED lights so was wondering if I were to switch to a warm white LED if cycling might be an issue with the animals since it shines not directly, but over the window of the garage.

My night light is LED, they don't seem to be bothered by it at all. But I understand what it's like to work under fluorescents for years, you can do it sure, but it can strain the eyes when they start going out.

Makes me wonder about plants too since LEDs have replaced everything. But as the night lights have been "burning out" I haven't replaced them.

To go back to a sodium pole light or not...