Anybody use a solar light in your coop

[DogIsMyShepherd]

I have 3 ducks and 4 chickens in my coop. It’s a baby barn with a dog run attached to the back. Through the day the ducks and chickens go in the run, I there’s a window I leave open and one of my coop doors are made of chicken wire. At night the ducks and chickens get shut in the coop, doors and windows shut. Lately I’ve been thinking of getting a solar light for them. I do not have Any kind of heat light in the coop as I’m worried about fire. Just wondering if anybody uses solar lighting in there coop, and if so what products?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Wouldn't a solar light stay on most of not all of the night?

I forgot to turn my coop light off one night. The birds were very unhappy and very loud about it. Around 10pm when I was going to bed I heard them yelling.

 

[DogIsMyShepherd]

Wouldn't a solar light stay on most of not all of the night?

I forgot to turn my coop light off one night. The birds were very unhappy and very loud about it. Around 10pm when I was going to bed I heard them yelling.

What if it was about the brightness of a night light, not too bright but just bright enough they can see where they’re going

 

[21hens-incharge]

You can always try it and see if it works.

Are they failing to go in at night or something?

 

[coach723]

I have a 12v light that runs on solar for my coop. It's on a timer so that it comes on before dusk and goes off after everyone is in. The panels also run my automatic door, also on a timer. I also have my light come on just before dawn, and then off again after it's light, prevents traffic jams early in the morning when all of them are getting up and out, I have more birds, about 2 dozen. I started with this, and use the lights from the kit:
https://www.harborfreight.com/100-watt-solar-panel-kit-63585.html
I have a car battery and trickle charger (so I can charge with A/C when demand is high or weather is lousy, and so I can run fans in the summer) in the eaves of my covered run, which is where the controller is also, to make sure I always have power (power outages are an issue where I am). There are some pictures of my set up in post #46 here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/lighting-without-electricity.1255331/page-5#post-20150479

 

[Northern Flights]

If I might be so bold... if you are considering solar lighting, you should be mindful that batteries are typically not included (nor are decent charge controllers or power inverters) and can make an otherwise great idea rather pricey. But there is some satisfaction in going off grid. One can also have "local" power without extension cords with the right setup. With a timer or two one can automate the whole thing quite easily.

Btw, oil filled electric heaters work great and are a very low risk for fire if installed safely. I use a low amp oil filled heater, plumbed through a thermostat set to only come on below -5.

Last winter, when the temp outside was -35 it was downright cozy in the coop. But then a standby genset becomes a must have item, unless you have a very, very stout solar system... a heater can draw down even the most robust storage setup in very short order.

Edit: sorry for the duplication of the above very sensible responses.

Edit x 2: if you do decide to use lead- acid batteries in a solar setup, I suggest they be kept outside the coop. Off- gassing batteries and electric fans, switches, relays etc can be a substantial explosive hazard -- especially if one is using an old fashioned trickle charger that likely overcharges the battery on a continual basis. Use a "smart" charger instead.

 

[HopeSprings]

I've been thinking about solar to power a light (and timer) to lengthen the day this fall. Also for an automated door. Just wondering if there's something smaller, less pricey out there!

 

[CapricornFarm]

I bought one that wasn't too expensive off the internet. It never did work.

 

[aart]

Just wondering if anybody uses solar lighting in there coop, and if so what products?

Why do you want light in the coop at night?
Chickens don't need it...I wear a headlight when I go to lock up after dark, essential if I am doing exams.

 

[Steven Bussell]

I keep afew solar lights in the ground around my coop and run just in case I need emergency lighting . I don't want to waste minutes when seconds xoubt8