When to give them extra light...

[speedy]

I have read a number of very long threads about giving the girls extra light in the winter.

In these threads a question that always popped up but was never really answered in detail is.....

Do I extend the mornings, allowing them to retire at night due to the natural fading of light?

or

Do I set a timer so at night, suddenly they have no light.

My neighbour has built a system where the main light goes off at say 7pm (after it is dark) and then 10 mins later a smaller light goes off leaving them in the dark. When the main light goes off the girls retire to their perches and then the mini light puts them into darkness.

Is this necessary?

If I just switch the light on earlier each day, then to give them 13 hours of light I would be waking them up a 3am in the winter.

It would be helpful if replies were based on light timing set up's. The pro's and con's and type of light was covered in detail in the threads I have already read.

Thanks to all here who have already provided invaluable help in setting up my coop

 

[beepbeepinajeep]

I am interested in the answer to this question too If my chickens are tractored, could I just put them close to our flood lights... how close would they need to be? (I guess... how bright?)

 

[gritsar]

IMO, IF you are going to add light it's best that it be added in the morning; even if that means it's going to come on @ 3 or 4 AM. Chickens are early risers anyhow.
This will allow them to go to roost ala natural in the evenings and yes they do learn to get on the roosts before it's too dark to see.
Most folks recommend a timer if you are going to add light.
ETA: It doesn't need to be too bright, but bright enough that you can read a newspaper if you are standing directly under it.

 

[txchickie]

Mine roost in the tree right outside of our garage, RIGHT beside the big floodlights that stay on all night. I wonder if this will affect them?

 

[cmom]

My birds have red night lights in their coops.

 

[Lynn57]

I set my timer to go on at 5:30 a.m. and off at 9:30 p.m. This way they get a full 16 hours of light. (supposedly enough for winter laying) I also added a tiny little night light so that it's not all of a sudden totally dark. I think this helps them not to panic and then find their perch.

 

[valkerri]

Quote:
I also heard this with the reason given that it will also help add supplemental heat during the coldest hours of the day. Where I am, in Wisconsin, this will be doubly beneficial.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I am getting some solar lights for my new tractor. I understand they do not put out much light, but I will give it a try. My bantams have been in the tractor for 5 weeks and out of the tractor during the day for 2 weeks. They have always huddled by the pop door to sleep I believe because it is plexiglass & gets the last floor level light in the evening. Last night they were taking forever to go in & perching in the doorway, so the last ones could not get in, so I put a flashlight with a small flourescent bulb in the nest box. They immediately starting filing in the coop & some even started eating. My coop is 4 by 6 and to me it was barely a little lighter than a night light, but they were moving around. In my large coop I have an electric light on a timer in the morning. In the tractor I hope the dusk to dawn lights will work, because they will fade gradually instead of snapping off abrubtly. I am counting on them only to stay on 4-5 hours! Will see how it goes.