Light in chicken Coops

[gemtheblonde]

Good evening all,

I am new to this site and dont actually have my chickens yet (picking up 3 next month and im SO excited!) but i was wondering if having a light in the chicken coop is a must?

we dont have access to power in our garden and so far everything i have read about chicken coops all seem to suggest having a light in them!

also i was wondering how well the cope witht he cold? is there anything special i can do so they dont freeze during the winter months?

thank you in advance to any help you can give me.

Gemma

[RedThorn]

My girls do not have a light, but then I do not mind that they slow down/stop(depending on the girl) with laying. I prefer them to follow the natural cycles of nature wherever possible

Welcome to the vine by the way.

Good luck with your three. Do you know how old they are? My girls seemed to actually enjoy scratching in the snow

The cold does affect some breeds it would seem, but most are ok. If you pop your location in please, as perhaps you're in a lot colder part than I am.

[vicky]

I'd agree that I want mine to have a rest in the winter too. Last winter they did carry on laying, just not as much. Also I found I appreciated the eggs a lot more once they started again in the spring.

They tend to huddle together on the perch during the night and they're lovely and warm!

And welcome to the vine, you must be so excited about getting chickens!

[gemtheblonde]

My girls do not have a light, but then I do not mind that they slow down/stop(depending on the girl) with laying. I prefer them to follow the natural cycles of nature wherever possible

Welcome to the vine by the way.

Good luck with your three. Do you know how old they are? My girls seemed to actually enjoy scratching in the snow

The cold does affect some breeds it would seem, but most are ok. If you pop your location in please, as perhaps you're in a lot colder part than I am.

thanks for your reply - obviously i want them to lay eggs but im not bothered about the frequency of them! there is only 2 of us after all, will be giving most of them away more than likely.

i just didnt know if the light was used as a heater or if it was just for egg laying or brightness inside the coop! am a chicken virgin and keep thinking up new questions to ask! i have a million and one things i need to know b4 getting them!

Gemma

[gemtheblonde]

I'd agree that I want mine to have a rest in the winter too. Last winter they did carry on laying, just not as much. Also I found I appreciated the eggs a lot more once they started again in the spring.

They tend to huddle together on the perch during the night and they're lovely and warm!

And welcome to the vine, you must be so excited about getting chickens!

yes!! im so excited!! i really thought my OH would be a tougher nut to crack but hes getting int he spirit of things!! we are clearing out the garden space for them at the min. iv heard that they quite like doing a bit of weeding too so they will be helpful as i hate it! lol

Gemma

[RedThorn]

lol ask away, you should of seen the questions I asked near on a year ago lol!

My Understanding is the lights are for the laying, saying that, my baby chicks have a light but that IS for warmth as they're not quite 4 weeks old.

[RedThorn]

Weeds gone, lawn gone ... pretty much all vegetation gone .... even rose bushes!

Unless you have a big garden or protect what you don't want them to eat

[gemtheblonde]

thanks for your reply - obviously i want them to lay eggs but im not bothered about the frequency of them! there is only 2 of us after all, will be giving most of them away more than likely.

i just didnt know if the light was used as a heater or if it was just for egg laying or brightness inside the coop! am a chicken virgin and keep thinking up new questions to ask! i have a million and one things i need to know b4 getting them!

Gemma

sorry i didnt see all of that msg! im in Edinburgh - its getting quite cold here already

the breeder im collecting them from has said they will be at point of lay when i pick them up - however being a novice i dont actually know exactly what age that is - im assuming its different for different breeds?

[gemtheblonde]

have not got the hang of the posting/quote thing yet - ill get it eventually!

excellent - im glad as im sure my neighbours thing im growing a jungle at the min! i think ill let the roam about on my old veggie patch for a while and then when they have cleared that out ill start over again! am really looking forwards to it! i really wanted to get sum chicks but i dont think i have enough time/experience to raise babies and my OH thinks id be too obbessed that id want to keep them int he house! lol

[RedThorn]

don't keep chicks in the house if you can help it! Trust me! They SMELL!!! lol moved mine into my greenhouse this weekend, we're still trying to get the smell out!!!

As to POL, about 16 weeks... depends on the breed and as Bephlam can attest to as she's up that way too, could mean a good while before eggs at this time of year. One of my girls waited until 28 weeks to lay but then her breed does start late.

[Suechooks]

Hello and welcome! Point of lay means from around 16 weeks onwards. Hybrids specially bred for laying will start laying anytime from 18-20 weeks but the pure breeds are usually a bit later.

[RedThorn]

thanks Sue

[gemtheblonde]

no i dont think i could cope with the smell either! 2 house rabbits and a OH is enought to deal with i think!

i can wait for the eggs! will be all the more exciting when they finally do arrive!

what do you thinkt he best breed to start with would be? the breeder we are getting our ladies from have all sorts but my OH liked the look of blue belles and i liked the Black rock and hylines! we are currently in negotiation over this!

what kind do you have?

[Suechooks]

thanks Sue

You type quicker than me!!!!!!!!!

[gemtheblonde]

Hello and welcome! Point of lay means from around 16 weeks onwards. Hybrids specially bred for laying will start laying anytime from 18-20 weeks but the pure breeds are usually a bit later.

thank you sue! i think im going to like it here!

gemma