Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[judge]

Hello all! Hope every one is drying out a little. I know we were swimming! Question for all you seasoned chicken keepers- what kind of light do I put in there? And a timer? Also- even though they were able to get in the coop last night two of my chickens were roosting outside the coop. Does that mean there isn't enough room inside to roost? Thought about adding another bar... Any suggestions for this newbie?
Have a great day everyone!

 

[JustJohn]

Hey TerriO

I see on channel 3 that the Dane county humane society has what they are calling a black game hen. I thought you might be interested as you have that pretty game fowl that wins shows and all.

The id # is 17396367 at the humane society.

They found her loose in a subdivision and she seems like she is used to people.

JJ

 

[Terri O]

Good morning to all--I was rudely awakened by a buzzing text message this morning! GGGRRRR! Actually it was good cause I was sleeping so soundly that I woulda prolly slept until 10! Tossed and turned a good part of the night and finally was sleeping good and DH got up for work and turned on the light!

Woke me up of course! I am wondering why I can sleep so well in the early morning lately? Am I turning into Cind? I dont get it!

JJ I will check out DCHS for that bird. THanks!
Definitely FALL! There is a constant falling of leaves outside my window! It is quite bright where my chair is now...I dont even need the light on! My sweet DD26 left me a fresh pot of coffee this morning because she took the last cup! Then she left a note that she "needs" more creamer! LOL!

Well--I better get the critters outside out and fed...daylight's a wastin' as my friend says! Have a great day everyone! TerriOgoingouttotestelectricfencingtoday

 

[Celtic Chick]

Hello all! Hope every one is drying out a little. I know we were swimming! Question for all you seasoned chicken keepers- what kind of light do I put in there? And a timer? Also- even though they were able to get in the coop last night two of my chickens were roosting outside the coop. Does that mean there isn't enough room inside to roost? Thought about adding another bar... Any suggestions for this newbie? Have a great day everyone!

What is the light for? To heat the coop or get the girls to lay more over winter? If it is for heat, I have a brooder lamp (with a clamp) & a 250W red heat bulb. When it gets really cold out, I leave it on 24/7, but for now I have mine on a dusk to dawn timer. I know some people don't like to use timers for heat bulbs because they're afraid they'll break.
I don't use lighting to extend daylight hours so I can't help you there. Sorry.

Your chickens might be confused after being stuck out of the coop that one night or they may be getting bullied by some of the other birds. If you have the room, I'd put another roost in, but that's just my 2 cents.

 

[JustJohn]

I have this mental picture of TerriO grabbing one of her kids by the hand and grabbing the electric fence with the other. Laughing wildly and saying "yep it all tests out!" when the kid stops twitching.

 

[jvls1942]

good late morning,, any light will do for your chickens.. I would suggest that you turn it on just before dusk so the chickens will all go in.. they tend to gravitate toward the lightest area at sundown.. If you are wondering about light for a heat source,, consider a small electric heater instead.. in the long run, it will end up costing less than replacing bulb after bulb.. especially those large heat bulbs..

If you have room on the roost pole, you do not have to add another one.. chickens don't mind crowding on the roost.. and they will stay warmer if they crowd a little ..

I emailed FT,, told her to check in at byc once in awhile.. I think she will..

one of the bronze turkeys spread his tail today.. I didn't see it,, Annie was looking out the kitchen window and saw him.. did I mention that I also raised two pairs of bronze ?? Long story; short..
I hatched them for somebody,, they never showed up to collect them..

......jimwaitingforthemedivantotakegrammaforherphysical.....

she will be 98 next week Oct 25

 

[vickiw]

Hi Judge!
what I use for light in my coop is the following; Went to Menards and bought a barn light (the ones that have the metal cage and the glass vapor lock globe in them) for $10 so if the bulb should break the glass is contained and screwed it to my ceiling. (added a heavy cord to it so I could plug it into the timer) In it I put a 9 watt (40 watt equal) daylight CFL bulb. Yes, I know you are not supposed to put CFL bulbs in enclosures, HOWEVER, what most folks don't know is that if it's 14 watt (60 watt equivalent) or less it's fine (check the manufacturer's website to verify). for a timer I use a standard timer that you plug in and then plug the light into it. They sell them cheap for outdoor lights. Recommend the ones designed for outdoor use (like Christmas lights) because they are moisture proof. The one I have allows for 4 settings so I can have it turn on for a while in the morning, turn off, turn on before dark and then off later.
Maybe some of the more knowledgeable chickie folks on here have a better setup but this one works great for me.

If it's for heat, can't help you. I have heard too many horror stories about heat lamps to risk using one. I have a well insulated coop and shouldn't need to add heat except when it gets really nasty and for that I have a nice oil filled radiant heater (you know the ones that look like an old fashioned steam radiator except on wheels). Mine has 3 wattage settings plus a separate temp knob so I should be able to fine tune the heat without over-heating or having chickie sickles. (I also cheat by having a wireless temp station with the sensor on a shelf in the coop so I always know what the temp is inside the coop from the house).

 

[delisha]

I have OP and OP crosses and New Hampshire's. The crosses are in the incubator with a few duck eggs. I had a very young Muscovy lay a few eggs. She was way to young to set and got off after a few days. I doubt they are fertile, I never seen her breed willingly with anyone. Besides she is with the whole herd and just about anyone could have bred her including sire and siblings.
I do not incubate the pure Ops, the hens do all the work thank goodness and I hate eating them anyway. We eat and sell the crosses for meat/egg. I have so far 24 baby chicks and 5 eggs left. Huge baby's.

 

[delisha]

I am sorry I am no help. I do not leave lights on. I do have security lighting on the outside of the coop. I use warmers in the chick coop and that stays on 24/7 unless it is 80 or higher at night when they have no feathers. If you got feathers, you need to huddle.

 

[jvls1942]

good early afternoon,,,,,, If you are lighting for eggs, the light from just a candle is enough, technically ..

so with that in mind, just use a very low watt bulb.. the set-up with the shatter guard is good..
those were first designed for hay mows where sparks from a bursting bulb could shower down into the hay..... a bulb just burning out does not usually burst,, but hit a lit bulb with a drop or two of cold water , then watch the fireworks..

..........jimgettinginthemoodtotakethetractoraparttomorrow........