To light the coop at night or not??

[Carladuckie]

Hi Everyone,
I am so confused by the different advice that I've gotten about whether or not to have a light on at night for my chickens and ducks.
On one hand I'm told that to have a light is unnecessary and they need to have 6-8 hour of darkness. As well, if I'm giving them light then they are being conditioned to keep laying. I have had two girls this last year with a prolapse and would love to avoid this in the future.
Now though, it's becoming winter here in B.C. and I don't want my duckies and chickies to be cold at night.
What is the right way???

 

[ronott1]

To Backyard Chickens!

The prolapse was not caused by the light. That happens to chickens sometimes and is more common with high production breeds.

Adding light is a preference. Some want to let the hens rest while others what to have eggs all year long.

What you can do is switch over to breeds that are winter layers.

This chart:

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

has a blue snow flake in the egg section for winter layers. Chanteclers are winter layers and do very well where you are

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.
I personally would vote no light.
This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production

 

[Carladuckie]

Hi and thanks for your reply. I'm not really looking to change breeds right now. I have Black Stars and they are awesome. I'm just looking for some good advice whether or not to have a heat lamp light left on at night. Good to know about the prolapse though!!

 

[Carladuckie]

Oh, and this is just a hobby. Just love having fresh eggs and of course who doesn't love a chicken that welcomes you home!!

 

[Sunny-Side Up]

It just depends on what you want. If you want to keep them laying during winter, put a light in. You'll only need the heat part if it gets extremely cold where you live.
If you want the light for laying: As long as you have about 14 hours of light, your hens should be good. You can keep it on all night. Some people say it's not good to keep it on all night, but it just depends. You can only have it on for a few extra hours of you feel uncomfortable with having it on all night. Just remember that it's best to keep things simple; people can over complicate things easily.
I personally keep mine on all night, and my hens have been fine. But like I said, your choice.
Have fun with your chickens, and welcome to BYC!

 

[ronott1]

Hi and thanks for your reply. I'm not really looking to change breeds right now. I have Black Stars and they are awesome. I'm just looking for some good advice whether or not to have a heat lamp light left on at night. Good to know about the prolapse though!!

I do not think you need a lamp for heat. Heating a coop is not usually recommended for chickens because they can not adjust to the temps and will have problems during power outages.

Lights for eggs are a different story and might be needed for black stars.

Keep the chanteclars in mind for when the Black Stars are gone. Production breeds Usually last between two to four years. Production breeds do not last as long as some breeds and will usually stop laying by for and many die around then

 

[Carladuckie]

It just depends on what you want. If you want to keep them laying during winter, put a light in. You'll only need the heat part if it gets extremely cold where you live.
If you want the light for laying: As long as you have about 14 hours of light, your hens should be good. You can keep it on all night. Some people say it's not good to keep it on all night, but it just depends. You can only have it on for a few extra hours of you feel uncomfortable with having it on all night. Just remember that it's best to keep things simple; people can over complicate things easily.
I personally keep mine on all night, and my hens have been fine. But like I said, your choice.
Have fun with your chickens, and welcome to BYC!

THANKS! I just really want to make sure they are happy and healthy. I'm not so concerned with having lot of eggs!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

All living things need down time. Darkness is very important for the good health of all animals, except for fish living at the bottom of the ocean or lifeforms that live in caves.

If you are worried about the cold where you live, I can certainly understand that. Many chicken owners are buying warmers that the chickens can stand next to. They may be safer than hanging a heat lamp, which are known to cause fires. If you do use a heat lamp, use the red bulb so the chickens can sleep. A ceramic heat emitter works just like a bulb, but without the light! They sell them online. I know Premier 1 sells a new safety heat lamp. Might want to give these alternatives a look see...

God Bless!

 

[Carladuckie]

I do not think you need a lamp for heat. Heating a coop is not usually recommended for chickens because they can not adjust to the temps and will have problems during power outages.

Lights for eggs are a different story and might be needed for black stars.

Keep the chanteclars in mind for when the Black Stars are gone. Production breeds Usually last between two to four years. Production breeds do not last as long as some breeds and will usually stop laying by for and many die around then

I certainly will keep that in mind in another year or so when they stop laying. It wasn't really a educated decision, they were just available when I was ready to start!