Coop light timers - What do you have?

[mcjessen]

Hi All -

I'm looking to update the timer on the light in the chicken coop. I currently have one that offers a few options - turns the light on at dusk and you can adjust time time it stays on; has an on all the time option; an off all the time option; or can stay on from dusk until dawn.

What I really need is one that allows for the light to come on at dusk and stay on for a couple hours AND that will come on at a certain time in the morning and shut off a few hours later. Basically, I'd like the light to come on at 5:00 am, shut off at 8:00 am then come back on at dusk and shut off at 9:00 pm. Has anyone seen this time of timer and if so who makes it and where can I get it.

Please keep in mind, when I purchased the one I am currently using I went for the on at dusk/off a couple hours later. I am now realizing that is not a good option for us. I just wanted to see what others are using.

Thanks!!!

 

[ailurophile23]

There are lots of timers available that will do what you want them to - they have options to have many on/off cycles. We use one similar to this one - http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Home-Automation-Security-Home-Automation-Dimmers-Lighting-Controls-Timers/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbmkf/R-100685881/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053


Just go to your local hardware store and look in the timer section - many options available!!

(I hope that link worked - first time trying to insert one in a response)

 

[MIKE555444]

We decided to keep it simple and cheap. The light on the timer works independent of the other light that is on a light switch.

 

[ke5hde]

Here's the one we use.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brinks-Grounded-Timer/16816086
Comes on at 4;30am off at 7;30pm. Have it running 2 4' flouresent(sp?) lights.
We have plenty of venting just not enough natural light.
Chris

 

[AKEric]

We have had good luck with this one:

http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

The reviews at the HD site are not very good for it, but we have had it going for a month and half so far and it has worked great. Comes on at 4:30 am and off at 9:00 am for us. It has the ability to come on again in the evening if you want it to.

 

[MIKE555444]

IF you plan on adding light in the evening then I expect you will have a light go off while the hens are down eating or drinking... How will they see to get to the roost? This is the reason most people add all of the light in the morning and let it get dark naturally.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

The multi switch timer as all are showing is what we use though ours is exterior rated, was only $16 at Lowe's or Home Despot. I have the light on in morning for 3 hours and then again in evening to round out a total of 12 daylight hours. Last winter the hens went into the lighted coop at dusk and roosted just like normal, the light just turned off on them so they could sleep. We use a 13w energy efficient bulb, on at 5:30 am off at 8, on at 3 pm off at 5:30. Worked slick, girls laying never skipped a beat through winter, we get down to 9 hours daylight here.

 

[mcjessen]

Quote:
We've been running our current system for about two weeks now (on at dusk and off at 9:00 pm, no additional morning light). As far as I can tell while checking on them periodically before I go to bed, they do not eat any later than 7:00 pm. When it gets dark outside they head straight to the roost and stay there. That could be 6:30 pm. I'm not too worried about them not being able to see to eat or drink in the evenings because by the time the light goes out at 9:00 pm, they've been roosting for a while.

BUT, the whole reason I'd like to switch from evening light to morning light is because I've got two out of our three girls that are not laying at ALL and I have absolutely no reason why. However, I am seeing more and more people on BYC having the same issue with their chickens so it may just be some kind of "moon cycle" thing. *shrugs shoulders*. I was thinking maybe they aren't getting enough morning light and evening light doesn't really matter as they are roosting according to their internal clocks. I may be totally over thinking the whole thing too. LOL!

Thanks for everyone's advice. Headed to Home Depot this afternoon.

 

[mcjessen]

Quote:
Your set up is exactly what I'm wanting to do time wise. I'm pretty sure we're using a 13w energy efficient bulb too. I like it because it doesn't get hot - was worried about fire danger. I'm glad your girls never skipped a beat last winter. I'm perplexed as to why two of my girls (BO's) aren't laying at all. I've searched the yard, run and coop - no eggs. Only one egg a day from my Australorp. She's a good girl. LOL!

Thanks for the input. Sounds like I may be on the right track.

 

[CluckCluck2]

My three silkies are so funny! They come back to the run a few times to check if the light is on. If it's not they go back outside, come back and check again. As soon as the light comes on they go in the coop. It comes on at 5:30 until 7:30 and on again in the morning at 6:00-8:00.