Signs there's more light than needed in the coop.

[Fairview01]

It's 8pm and part of the flock is still happily scratching around in the run under the coop where the light shines through the cracks in the floor.

You find a crazy hen outside the run behind the coop free ranging in the light that comes out of the open back.

Looking through the wire sided back the flock looks at you with the did you bring the scratch.

You realize you don't need to turn the flood lights on to see what's out there.



What can I say. The price of the smaller lamp at HD was almost the price of the larger one.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

That's too much light...

can eventually cause behavioral issues. Plus leaving food and stuff in there is just asking for rats and other pests to come around.

Rats by the way are chicken predators and have been know to eat hens alive!

Can you change it to a red bulb or any way to make it dimmer in the coop?

 

[Fairview01]

It's on a timer. On at about 5:30 off at 9:30. Gives them 14 hours of light +/-.

 

[aart]

Are you asking for a solution....or just sharing a story?
Smaller wattage bulb?

 

[chickens really]

Are you asking for a solution....or just sharing a story?
Smaller wattage bulb?

..........

 

[TalkALittle]

It's on a timer. On at about 5:30 off at 9:30. Gives them 14 hours of light +/-.

Isn't that 16 hours? If it were me, I'd light from 5 to 7 for 14 hours.

 

[Fairview01]

Are you asking for a solution....or just sharing a story?
Smaller wattage bulb?

Nah, just trying to be humorous. If 3 pumps of grease are good, 6 will be better, right and who cares about the seals.

Isn't that 16 hours? If it were me, I'd light from 5 to 7 for 14 hours.

Right now day length I'd right at 10 hrs plus pocket change. Not really dark at 5:30 but I have them on because I've seen the absolute panic when it goes from pitch black to light. Actually it's probably just shy of a full 14 hours.

 

[marcym]

I've always added light in the early morning hours, that way they come inside and roost well before dark. Otherwise they are out scratching and suddenly the timer shuts off, it's dark and they haven't roosted yet. My timer kicks the lights on at 3-7:30 AM, then I open the coop for the day, and they are back roosting by 5 pm at the latest. Then I shut the coop. Works for me.

 

[Kenny_]

So do you guys keep the lights on all night or have them cut off at a set time? Looks like 9:30PM? Gives them time to find their roosting spots and such? Hmm.. looks like I need to research this, but I am NOT an electrician. I guess I can youtube like the best of them, though. I've sunk enough money into this coop, might as well continue sinking some more into it. lol Just want them to be happy and not distressed.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I've always added light in the early morning hours, that way they come inside and roost well before dark. Otherwise they are out scratching and suddenly the timer shuts off, it's dark and they haven't roosted yet. My timer kicks the lights on at 3-7:30 AM, then I open the coop for the day, and they are back roosting by 5 pm at the latest. Then I shut the coop. Works for me.

But when you have lights come on that early don't you have to leave feed available all night? Or have you worked out a way to keep free loaders away?