This is my idea, please let me know what works best: We are switching our two week olds to the coop today, sectioning it off into a 16 sq ft section. Will have 3" of shavings, draft-free, natural light. For the heat, I have a light-free chick warmer on one end and a 100w or 60w ceramic emitter bulb (no light) on the other end. (Just have to see which one gives me the right temp. Then, there is a ceiling light, not directly overhead of the brooder area. Should I leave the ceiling light on for progressively fewer hours each night to get them to total darkness?? AND if so, should I back off on the early morning end or the early evening end??? Like, off at 5 am, off at 4 am, off at 3 am, off at 2am, off at 1am, etc until it's off 9 pm then off for good???????? Thanks ONCE again!! You all are THE BEST!!!!!!!!!! Lisa The sun comes up at 5:52 am and sets at 7:30 pm.
if you have heat for your chickies in the coop.you can turn off the ceiling light.because they dont need that light to stay warm.an when it gets dark they will go roost.