Interior Coop Lighting

[Moricha]

Hello all, I hope this is the right forum section.

I recently moved my girls into a new coop! It's great, better than the one before.

However, the one before had 2 windows that let light in, and the new one does not.
This is no problem, however, I find my girls are having a hard time finding their roost bar at night, and are just nesting on the floor.

If I shine my flashlight in, they all hop up on the roost because now they can see it, but if I don't do that they remain on the floor of the coop.
Should I install a small dim light to assist them or no? And if so, do you have a kind you recommend?

Any advice or experiences would be great!

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Hello all, I hope this is the right forum section.

I recently moved my girls into a new coop! It's great, better than the one before.

However, the one before had 2 windows that let light in, and the new one does not.
This is no problem, however, I find my girls are having a hard time finding their roost bar at night, and are just nesting on the floor.

If I shine my flashlight in, they all hop up on the roost because now they can see it, but if I don't do that they remain on the floor of the coop.
Should I install a small dim light to assist them or no? And if so, do you have a kind you recommend?

Any advice or experiences would be great!

I had a light on a timer when I first moved my chickens out to the run while they got used to coming in at night and roosting on the perches. After they got used to it I was able to take it away. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt your girls if you had a light in there for bit while they get used to their new coop.

 

[aart]

This is no problem, however, I find my girls are having a hard time finding their roost bar at night, and are just nesting on the floor.

Well, it kinda is a problem then, eh?
Add some windows

 

[rosemarythyme]

x2 on adding a window if possible - natural light is easiest (no need to swap batteries, worrying about what happens if you're not at home, etc.)

If that's not an option you can use something as simple as stick-on battery powered lights.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Installing a light would be at the bottom of my choices but I have no idea what your coop looks like or how it is built. I think they need light in there during the day but not to help them get on a roost. I realize I'm probably in a minority of one on this forum but I don't see why chickens have to roost. My broody hens keep their chicks on the coop floor at night. Chicks sleep on the floor in my brooder and in the coop when they are integrated until they are ready to roost. I can't see that it hurts them in the least and I see then doing it. It is normal and natural. I don't see anything wrong with them roosting, I just don't see where they are damaged if they don't.

You need to be able to see in there. If you have one of those small coops you open up to access it light isn't your issue. If it is a walk-in coop it is. I think they need to be able to see how to find the nests. Do you feed and water in there? They need to be able to find that if you do. How do they see to get down in the morning without your flashlight? It doesn't need to be real bright in there but you and they need to be able to see.

My preference would be to make a window. That can be as simple as cutting a hole in a wall and covering it with plexiglas or something similar. Covering it with hardware cloth might work but wind might be a problem. Not knowing what your coop looks like limits my suggestions but I really like passive light so it does not depend on you, electricity, or batteries. A window is simple.

Chickens need some dark downtime. Leaving a light on all night can cause different problems, behavioral and with laying. If you do put a light in there, put it on a timer.

 

[David61]

$9.99 on Amazon, MrBeam AA cell battery photo on off stair lights sold in a two pack. I get six months out of them. My issue was the girls couldn't see to off the roost and get to the nest box . I had eggs on the poop board as they just dropped them off the roost.
I highly recommend these low amber lights . I put one under a roost board and one in a nest box.
https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Beams-MB5...s+stair+lights+two+pack&qid=1605573077&sr=8-4