Are Boogey Lights® the same as 'Chicken Lights'?
Technically, no. Boogey Lights® are Accent Lights - not 'Chicken Lights'. There is a difference. With only a few exceptions, you'll only see the glow from a Boogey Lights® LED lighting system. You'll never see the lights or fixtures themselves. In fact, when the lights are off, you'd never know they are there. When installed properly, Boogey Lights® are completely hidden from view. They are designed to flood an entire area with light. Full perimeter under-glow lighting is probably the most common Boogey Lights® lighting system used on semi-trucks and trailers today but there are others including grill lights, breather lights, air vent lights, under-cab lights, rear fair accent lights, step lights and more. This is why it's not unusual for a Boogey Lights® LED lighting system to have upwards of 3000 or more LED diodes. The shear number of LED diodes packed closely together is what provides that unique, smooth lighting glow effect that only a Boogey Lights® LED lighting system can. Also, these lighting systems have the ability to change color - up to 16 million options in some cases - as well as offering the standard DOT compliant red and amber. What colors are displayed (how and when) is totally up to the driver. If there is a failure in an LED or two, simply turn the system off. Because the LEDs can't be seen, it's not a reason for the truck to fail an inspection.
What are Chicken Lights?
The term "Chicken lights" is trucking slang for extra external marker or clearance lights added to a semi truck - or - both the tractor and trailer. The are usually small, round or rectangular single or two diode LED lights mostly amber on the sides/front and red on the rear that go well beyond the basic DOT required marker or running lights. Truckers use them for better visibility/safety. They're typically mounted in rows or patterns along the sides of the truck, the sides/top edge of the trailer, the top of the cab roof or on the front bumper. They usually are mounted in a chrome housing of some type which is screwed or riveted to the truck chassis. When the lights are off, you can clearly see the light fixture and chrome housing. If an LED fails, it's very apparent and can be the reason a truck fails inspection.
Where does the name 'Chicken Lights' come from?
The term dates back to the 1920s and is tied to the chicken (poultry) hauler industry. These are the truck drivers who hauled live chickens in early refrigerated or open trailers back in the day. There are a three overlapping legends that explain the 'Chicken Lights' name:
- Thief Deterrent. Slow poultry trucks passing through dark small towns at night were easy targets for thieves who would steal the live chickens in transit. Drivers started hanging lanterns or extra lights around the load so they or the police could spot anyone messing with the cargo and thus the term "chicken lights."
- Calming Effect. The soft glow from the lights reportedly kept the chickens calmer during long hauls, causing less stress on the birds and making unloading easier.
- "Rooster Cruiser". Some of these poultry haulers earned a reputation for running fast, flashy rigs also referred to as "rooster cruisers". They were among the first to load up on extra lights, chrome, and big radios pioneering the over-the-top lighting trend that spread to other trucking segments.
Over the decades the term stuck and broadened to any semi truck with extra lights, even if the truck isn't hauling chickens.
Can Boogey Lights® be used with Chicken Lights?
Absolutely! It's very common. Many Boogey Lights® customers have both installed on their trucks. The chicken lights are usually tied into the truck's running light system whereas the Boogey Lights® system is independently controlled.