My chickens lay down a lot during the day, is this normal?

They are 14 weeks old, except one she is 16 weeks old. It seems like they are always laying down. It is cloudy here today, and it isn't too hot and they are still laying down.

Cammy

mine do that when it's gonna rain. Have no clue if it's related...lol

Hmm. I am relatively new to chickens but I'd have to say that isn't normal activity for a young, growing flock. Do they have easy access to water and feed? Do they have access to a secure nesting box? Do they perhaps need some extra shelter from the sun? (It's been very warm here and I made some extra shade for my flock out of surplus lumber for 'A' frames). My flock is active from morning to dusk with a rest in the shade during the heat of the day and then they are back to foraging and taking spa time aka dust baths.

Well, I just went out to dust their pen with De and they were all running around. I think maybe some more shade. They have a 10x8 coop with a 15.5x13.5 run. The only part of the run that is shaded is about 2x13.3. That is usually where they are. It was raining yesterday and they were running around in it.

But, while I was dusting again, because the rain washed it all away. I noticed several of them having brown runny poop. I have been giving them white bread, but another member said not to, so I will stop giving them that. I picked them some green grass and put that in there for them. They still have grass in their coop, but I don't think they like the kind that is left.

Another question, is I have cedar shavings in their coop, but I am looking for some hay, to replace it. I have read that cedar isn't the best to use.

I give them free choice pellets for 10-18 week old chicks. I always make sure their water is clean and I put a frozen bottle of water inside the container to keep it a little cooler.

I am new to chickens, so it might just be that I am over reacting too

Thanks so much for all the help. Cammy

Hi Cammy,

Just saw your post about having cedar shavings. Get rid of these today, even if it means you don't have any litter for a couple of days. Cedar gives off fumes that deter insects and can cause respiratory problems in birds (who have very sensitive repiratory systems to begin with).

It does sound like shade is an issue, too. This was a good observation on your part.

My Silkie is lazy and likes to lay around all the time... She scratches around, eats, drinks, poops, and then takes little cat-naps throughout the day. The other chicken is not so "sleepy" maybe you just got blessed with a bunch of lazy chickens.

Quote:
My birds are 8 weeks or so, they use the roost inside and out. A couple of time a day they all bunch up laying together, inside and out. It doesn't seem to be weather or temp related, who knows???

Will get rid of the cedar immediately. I'm pretty sure that it is the sun, and not enough shade for them. So will take care of that as soon as DH gets home. It was pretty cloudy here today, but still had some sun, but as soon as there was no sun in their pen, they have been running about ever since.

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it. Cammy

Perfectly normal day in the life of a chicken.

Get up.
Beg for a.m. treats.
Go outside and look around.
Make lovely chicken sounds.
Stretch. (Wing fully extended...standing on one leg...chicken yoga.)
Beg for treats.
Drink some fresh water.
Eat.
Lay an egg.
Scratch for bugs.
Beg for treats.
Fuss a bit with each other.
Take dust bath.
Preen feathers.
First nap of the day. (Followed by many others.)
Wake up, beg for treats.
Poop in between each activity.

Get up and start all over again., keeping an ever watchful eye for mom and the squeek of the back door.

All day long, every day.

Seriously, my chickens are healthy, happy, and perfectly normal. And they enjoy their naps. Alot. The naps are usually short, but numerous.

JME

Ma

My orginal flock of 30 birds, RIR's, BO's, BR's, BS's have always been active. Under the same conditions, I got 25 EE's and they were LAZY birds, always siting around doing nothing.

What breed do you have?