redsky Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I have had my 2 chooks for a week now, and so far everything is great. However, today I noticed Peggy lying on the floor for the first time - normally they go into the chicken house to perch when tired. Is this normal? I couldn't quite get a decent picture because of the strong sun (nice for a change) but you can just make her out here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 are you sure she wasn't dustbathing or sunbathing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 If there was strong sun she was probably sunbathing. They lay on their side with one wing stretched out and catch some rays. My black hen does it a lot - she looks like it's very pleasurable! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 When our girls first lay down, their wings flopped to the floor and their eyes closed...we thought they were dying....how embarassing. In fact, they did it at our feet and we saw it as a great act of love and trust...they were enjoying the sun and expecting us to protect them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 My three all do this and when I first saw it I thought something was wrong but its always when the sun is shining in the run and always in the same place. They are chillin out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furryelephant Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Yep.. that's a sunbathing hen On Saturday Ginger was lounging in the entrance to the run with her wings out soaking up some rays and completely blocking the way in... much to Kylie's annoyance who wanted some food! We were peeking through the window and laughing at K's slightly useless attempts to get past/over/through her Eglu-mate Hens.. don't ya just love them! Just to add to the OP... your house and run is fab! Like a fairy tale chicken cottage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I love it when they sunbathe this is one of Fatima, head resting on a warm stone, sunbathing last summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 My lot sunbathe when it's a nice day. One wing extended, eyes closed, sometimes making "purring" sound (but not always). Here's my girl last summer, funny picture as the extended wing is clipped and looks odd. But do just keep an eye on them that it is only sunbathing. It probably is, but one of my original Omlet girls died 2 weeks after arriving. I thought she was always sunbathing (when the others were trotting around) but turned out she wasn't eating or drinking either and was actually ill. I'm sounding all alarmist now, but if she's eating/drinking ok then you've probably just witnessed your first of many sunbathing incidents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
