Solar walkway lights as coop lights

[cheapcheepcheep]

Hi,
I'm finishing up my coop, but already looking towards another delightful New England winter. (That's sarcasm right there). I know chickens need light to keep laying, and mine should start laying right around October, just in time for the time change. I can squeeze the tops of solar walkway lights in my window, and they work to light it up. So I have two questions:

1. Will these work to provide the right kind of light to keep them laying?
2. Since these don't shut off, will the chickens go insane from too much light?

This is a cool idea, but I'm not married to it if it won't work.



The light in the window.

 

[JackE]

I don't supply any kind of extra light during the winter, and I continue to get eggs. I let the birds produce the eggs in their own time, no need to force any more out of them. I would not put lights in there that don't turn off, chickens need their sleep.
Jack

 

[Caribear]

I have solar walkway lights around the outside of my coop, more for predator deterrant than anything. I don't know how well these lights will keep them laying, but they should eventually run out of power and go off at night. Mine start to dim noticeably at about 3 am, but they are pretty cheap. And when they are chicks, they have a brooder light on all the time and they do fine, so i wouldn't worry about the solar lights bothering them too much.

 

[old biddie50]

I too have had no trouble with them laying in the winter. I let them out of the coop and they seem to get all the sun they need. I do have a solar light above the "egg" door as sort of a porch light but it doesn't shine inside. Life is mostly trial and error anyway so try it and let us know.

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

I do not think that it is ideal to use artificial lighting to make chickens lay in the winter. Chickens do not always lay in the winter for a reason. The break is healthy for them and gives their egg organs time to recoup. It is how they have survived for thousands of years. Chickens are not vending machines, they are living beings. However, I will tell you this. Having a light on in the coop all night will not make them go crazy or anything that extreme. They will still sleep well enough with their eyes closed once they get used to it. But think about it, how would you like to sleep with the light on? I know I wouldn't like it. Darkness is one of the factors that will allow you to get a good night sleep. Solar lights (depending on the light color) are a much better alternative than your ordinary light bulbs, though, if you really want to keep their coop lighted in the winter. Good luck and enjoy your chickens.

 

[cheapcheepcheep]

Thanks, everyone. I will ditch the light in the window. I was actually thinking about using them on the perimeter of the coop to (maybe) keep away (some) predators. Or make those sun jar things everyone seems to like making out of walkway lights.

 

[Jakoda]

I'm in CT and yep can't wait for our NE winter (NOT!) my chickies should start laying around the same time as yours. I did hang up two of those 'push' lights, like for closets? They are rather 'dim' so kind of like a dim nightlight. Not sure if I'll use them or not.

BUT wanted to add, if your looking for solar lights, I get alot of them off of QVC, with timers! Battery operated, you can set the timers to 4 or 8 hours. Just a suggestion if you want to use solar with timers
Diane

 

[cheapcheepcheep]

Woah, timers! I may have to check that out. A little extra light, but not insanity levels.

 

[old biddie50]

I think that is the answer to the light question. Not that they need all night light but just extended daytime. X amount of hours of light for egg production.

 

[Going Quackers]

I plan on installing a solar shed light, i have them in most of my other barns(horses, hay etc) in case hydro goes out...