To light the coop at night or not??

[Carladuckie]

All living things need down time. Darkness is very important for the good health of all animals, except for fish living at the bottom of the ocean or lifeforms that live in caves.

If you are worried about the cold where you live, I can certainly understand that. Many chicken owners are buying warmers that the chickens can stand next to. They may be safer than hanging a heat lamp, which are known to cause fires. If you do use a heat lamp, use the red bulb so the chickens can sleep. A ceramic heat emitter works just like a bulb, but without the light! They sell them online. I know Premier 1 sells a new safety heat lamp. Might want to give these alternatives a look see...

View attachment 1176784 View attachment 1176796

God Bless!

Hi, I have been using a red light and it is very safely put up and away. I guess we will have to see how cold this winter gets. It has just started snowing today!

 

[Carladuckie]

Hi, I have been using a red light and it is very safely put up and away. I guess we will have to see how cold this winter gets. It has just started snowing today!

Also though, I agree with letting them have down time!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Keep your coop dry and well ventilated and your birds adequately fed and watered, and they will winter fine without heat in the coop.

 

[Carladuckie]

Welcome to BYC. Keep your coop dry and well ventilated and your birds adequately fed and watered, and they will winter fine without heat in the coop.

Thanks, even if it goes to -15 celcius?

 

[twilightgecko]

i live in upstate NY and last winter, i didn't keep the light in my coop on.. and my hens continued to lay all winter long.. not daily, but i was getting 5-6 eggs a day from 9 girls.. i figure if their bodies needed to rest, it's up to them..

 

[Carladuckie]

i live in upstate NY and last winter, i didn't keep the light in my coop on.. and my hens continued to lay all winter long.. not daily, but i was getting 5-6 eggs a day from 9 girls.. i figure if their bodies needed to rest, it's up to them..

It get a little cold there too doesn't it!

 

[ronott1]

I certainly will keep that in mind in another year or so when they stop laying. It wasn't really a educated decision, they were just available when I was ready to start!

That happens all the time!

Black stars are very common and great first chickens

 

[N F C]

Thanks for joining us!

 

[Carladuckie]

That happens all the time!

Black stars are very common and great first chickens

It was the same with the ducks and I ended up with Muscovies which I adore!

 

[Carladuckie]

Thanks for joining us!

So happy to be here, thanks!