4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Angels4]

I'm sure this question has been asked a million times, BUT it is the first time I've asked it so here it goes.

 

Do chickens take naps during the day? The reason for my question is my girl Clairee (who I believe is the oldest, therfore the layer of my very first egg) although eating, drinking, alert with bright eyes and glossy feathers, has been plopping herself down in the middle of the run today with her eyes closed. When I look towards her vent area it appears she is sucking her vent in and out (maybe like kegel excercises) Sorry if that is too explicit. I'm 99.9% positive she is not straining to lay. Maybe she is just working the muscle.

 

Also while on the subject of laying...M'Lynn who is a bit younger than Clairee and has grown quite a bit since her arrival (bigger and brighter comb and wattles) appears to have a more pronounced hump at or about her tail feathers. Could that mean that she started laying before Clairee?

[Yolky]

I am sorry but I had to giggle at the thought of chicken kegals

 

My chooks have little naps, sometimes if it is windy or cold they put their heads under their wings, which looks soooooooooooo cute! I think on these long summer (yea right) days they get tired and need naps.

[Olly]

Their vent does go in and out, it looks as if they're breathing through it! Sounds pretty normal to me -mine often sit down for a rest during the day. As long as she's eating, drinking and jumps up if you arrive with a treat, I wouldn't worry too much.

[Mutrix Farmers]

When I look towards her vent area it appears she is sucking her vent in and out (maybe like kegel excercises) Sorry if that is too explicit. I'm 99.9% positive she is not straining to lay. Maybe she is just working the muscle.

 

Is this the same as pelvic floor muscle exercises? If I laid an egg every day I'd need a bit more than a few exercises to stop it all hanging out!!!

[Snowy]

Yes it is normal for the vent to pulsate - love the idea of chook pelvic floor exercises!

And mine often cat nap - they like to find a warm paving stone and just sit in the middle with heads under their wings, toasting in the sun

[SLK69]

am glad this is totally normal behaviour - mine seem to take loads of random naps in warm spots. Am v. jealous - would love to cat nap through the day.

 

Susie x

[Angels4]

You can say that again.