You would have thought I was killing them all!

[gamechickens]

lol so dramtic. sound like my 2 year old daughter

 

[crawfordmama]

Omigosh, you guys are hilarious! I turn my light off at night so they know it's time for bed. With this heat wave, temp is no longer a concern.

 

[crtrlovr]

I remember when I had little guys in a brooder in the house. When I turned the clamp light off for the first time, they got very uneasy (well, ok, they freaked!) I put a small wattage bulb in it and moved it away from the brooder but to where they could still see by the light it emitted. After a couple of days I turned it off and just left the nightlight on the refrigerator door turned on (the light over the compartment where the ice dispenser is). It was as much for my comfort as theirs -- I was compelled to look in on them every time I got up during the night for anything.

 

[coldinnh]

Quote:
That is an awesome idea I went got a cfl bulb today which is only 40 watts. Im gonna try the black light- I do want to give them a nightligt besides their solar latern -- anyone ever used the xmas string lights?

 

[gritsar]

My 4 week old layer chicks and ? old meat chicks haven't had a nightlight in their brooder since they were about 2 weeks old. They are on a natural schedule of getting up with the sun and going to bed at dusk. Growing fine. Since I am not raising the meat birds for eating, it's important to me that they sleep at night instead eat, eat, eating.
Tonight DH had the porch light on, where the chick's brooder is located, so he could see to grill our supper. Most of the chicks seemed unfazed by it. My problem child, Grace (a meat bird) jumped out of the brooder and followed DH around on the porch instead, looking for a handout.

When they no longer need heat, they no longer need a light period IMO. Chickens should be used to sleeping at night, not eating, not partying, not watching PPV movies.

 

[Christie Rhae]

Quote:
LOL!!

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Quote:
Not to mention it's expensive running those heat lamps 24/7!!

 

[Denninmi]

Just a quick update -- when I turned off their lights tonight, there was a little peeping but nothing like the first night. I knew they'd get used to it.