Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

[bruceha2000]

What about giving them a light just at night?

They need their sleep!

IF I were to heat my coop, I think I would create a small "sleeping area" with the 250W red brooder light the girls started with. I have a remote sensing thermostat for reptiles so the light wouldn't NECESSARILY need to be on all the time. It would be better to get something that would only go on if the temps were down where the girls couldn't keep themselves warm though.

Bruce

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

They need their sleep!

IF I were to heat my coop, I think I would create a small "sleeping area" with the 250W red brooder light the girls started with. I have a remote sensing thermostat for reptiles so the light wouldn't NECESSARILY need to be on all the time. It would be better to get something that would only go on if the temps were down where the girls couldn't keep themselves warm though.

Bruce

The thing I'm worried about is that I have a specific chicken that tends to like to sleep on the ground. I'm sure the other would be fine without a light, but she's the one I'm worried about.

 

[bruceha2000]

The thing I'm worried about is that I have a specific chicken that tends to like to sleep on the ground. I'm sure the other would be fine without a light, but she's the one I'm worried about.

I'm too new to chickens to know all that much but if she likes to sleep on the ground, why not just make sure she has a big pile of hay or shavings to sleep in? I don't see where a light would make a difference. Does she sit on perches, fences, the roost etc at other times? Just wondering if there is some physical reason she stays down. Other possibility, low in the order and favors not being picked on "up stairs"?

Bruce

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

I'm too new to chickens to know all that much but if she likes to sleep on the ground, why not just make sure she has a big pile of hay or shavings to sleep in? I don't see where a light would make a difference. Does she sit on perches, fences, the roost etc at other times? Just wondering if there is some physical reason she stays down. Other possibility, low in the order and favors not being picked on "up stairs"?

Bruce

I do have a little spot with shaving in it for her, but she will only sleep there if there's a light. I think the reason she sleeps on the ground is because she grew up around tons of ducks (she the only chicken in a flock of 8 duck for about 6 months). They slept on the floor, and she slept with them. Now I don't have as many ducks, but she still sleeps on the ground....

 

[vmdanielsen]

I do have a little spot with shaving in it for her, but she will only sleep there if there's a light. I think the reason she sleeps on the ground is because she grew up around tons of ducks (she the only chicken in a flock of 8 duck for about 6 months). They slept on the floor, and she slept with them. Now I don't have as many ducks, but she still sleeps on the ground....

When I have a bird that sleeps on the ground(usually young) I go out and put her on the roost until she goes up on her own. It's better with buddies!!

 

[Twister-n-Dos]

Scratching in the run with a high of +5F today.

 

[bruceha2000]

I do have a little spot with shaving in it for her, but she will only sleep there if there's a light. I think the reason she sleeps on the ground is because she grew up around tons of ducks (she the only chicken in a flock of 8 duck for about 6 months). They slept on the floor, and she slept with them. Now I don't have as many ducks, but she still sleeps on the ground....

Ah, a variation on "The ugly duckling" story. I can see why she would prefer the ground then, it seems only natural to her. Where does she sleep if there is no light?

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

Ah, a variation on "The ugly duckling" story. I can see why she would prefer the ground then, it seems only natural to her. Where does she sleep if there is no light?

She sleeps in the bottom nesting box (My nesting box is a dresser with three of the drawers taken out, the very bottom drawer is taken out so that it's just ground underneath).

 

[bruceha2000]

She sleeps in the bottom nesting box (My nesting box is a dresser with three of the drawers taken out, the very bottom drawer is taken out so that it's just ground underneath).

Of course, the LAST place you want her to be sleeping! Curious she chooses a place that if there were any light, would be the place with the LEAST light, yet she will sleep in the shavings if there is a light there. I think you need a Chicken Whisperer.

I have heard of the method espoused by vmdanielsen to get young birds to use the roost, put them on it and they will get used to it. Perhaps it will work for an older chicken as well. Does she get along with the other chickens so they won't pester her off the roost if she tries to join the slumber party? Will she sit on the roosts during the day? That might be a silly question though because I don't think any of my girls go up on the roost during the day. At least not if they are let out. And if the are still in the coop when we go to the barn, they will all be on the floor crowding the door before we could get close enough to see if they WERE on the roosts.

Bruce

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

Of course, the LAST place you want her to be sleeping! Curious she chooses a place that if there were any light, would be the place with the LEAST light, yet she will sleep in the shavings if there is a light there. I think you need a Chicken Whisperer.

I have heard of the method espoused by vmdanielsen to get young birds to use the roost, put them on it and they will get used to it. Perhaps it will work for an older chicken as well. Does she get along with the other chickens so they won't pester her off the roost if she tries to join the slumber party? Will she sit on the roosts during the day? That might be a silly question though because I don't think any of my girls go up on the roost during the day. At least not if they are let out. And if the are still in the coop when we go to the barn, they will all be on the floor crowding the door before we could get close enough to see if they WERE on the roosts.

Bruce

Her, her boyfriend (who doesn't usually sleep on the floor), and my duck were all under the light last night. She doesn't really roost during the day. She really can't fly all that well, she can jump about 2 ft off the ground, but no more than that. I think it might just be because she molting, so maybe I'll try that when all her feathers are back.