Red light on in the new coop?

[SconnieChickens]

So just when I think I've worried about everything with my chickens as a first time chicken mama...

We moved our chickens out to the coop today. They are about 6-7 weeks old and feathered. They absolutely loved hanging out in the attached run today and when I got them into the coop and closed the door they seemed fine... checking stuff out, but didn't seem scared or anything. So I didn't turn on the red lamp and left to run an errand. When I got back they were chirping so loud I could hear them from about 20 ft away and they were all huddled near the human door. So I turned the red light back on and they all got up and started moving around.

At some point I know I need to turn the light off...for one thing we won't need the heat (although tonight it will be down into the low 40s). Is it ok to leave it on for a few nights while they get used to their new surroundings? Any ideas for gradually shutting the light off? Is the light gonna mess with their sleep? It is a red light.

 

[zhutson789]

So just when I think I've worried about everything with my chickens as a first time chicken mama...

We moved our chickens out to the coop today. They are about 6-7 weeks old and feathered. They absolutely loved hanging out in the attached run today and when I got them into the coop and closed the door they seemed fine... checking stuff out, but didn't seem scared or anything. So I didn't turn on the red lamp and left to run an errand. When I got back they were chirping so loud I could hear them from about 20 ft away and they were all huddled near the human door. So I turned the red light back on and they all got up and started moving around.

At some point I know I need to turn the light off...for one thing we won't need the heat (although tonight it will be down into the low 40s). Is it ok to leave it on for a few nights while they get used to their new surroundings? Any ideas for gradually shutting the light off? Is the light gonna mess with their sleep? It is a red light.

Or birds have never really liked the red light. I would slowly turn off the light for increasing amounts of times over the next few days. At some point never turn it back on once they are good with it off

 

[rosemarythyme]

I know it sounds mean but I'd just close up for the night without it, and let them cry - they'll adjust. I don't feel the need to coddle them. They absolutely don't need additional heat at this point so no point in trying to put them back on it and the heat lamp is a fire hazard anyhow.