Chicken Lying down

[Ash3594]

Hi all,

I have three hens and I have noticed one of them has been lying down on its side and splaying it's wing. I noticed this yesterday and today. I have looked up whether it could be egg bound but it has no issues moving around and is still happy to be handled. My thoughts are perhaps the hot weather?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks,

Ash

 

[Skyle]

Does she behave normally although this or she's like this all the time?
It looks like she's just sunbathing.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Where are you located?
I would think it is sunning itself.
Do they have access to a dust bath?

 

[Ash3594]

Does she behave normally although this or she's like this all the time?
It looks like she's just sunbathing.

Thank you for your reply.
This is the first I have noticed this but she runs around quite happily after the other two. She seems her normal self other than the lying down.

 

[Ash3594]

Where are you located?
I would think it is sunning itself.
Do they have access to a dust bath?

Im in the UK, they dont have a specified dust bath but lots of access to grass and soil.
I thought she was perhaps sun bathing as this is the first few days of good weather we have had in a while.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is always startling to walk out and see a bunch of black birds sprawled out on the ground in the sun in a state that looks just like a massacre. When I approach, they all hop up and run away.
Do they dig wallows in the soil in an attempt to create a dust bath? If your soil isn't dry, they will be unsuccessful. But IMO, they all need a dust bathing opportunity. That's how they keep pests off of themselves.

 

[Skyle]

Thank you for your reply.
This is the first I have noticed this but she runs around quite happily after the other two. She seems her normal self other than the lying down.

I'm pretty sure she's sunbathing then.
It's totally normal, chickens love to lay like this under the direct sun, especially if the weather has been rainy/cloudy for some days.
Here's my pullet Haru, she loved sunbathing and dustbathing everywhere (even on my lap lol)

 

[Ash3594]

I'm pretty sure she's sunbathing then.
It's totally normal, chickens love to lay like this under the direct sun, especially if the weather has been rainy/cloudy for some days.
Here's my pullet Haru, she loved sunbathing and dustbathing everywhere (even on my lap lol)
View attachment 2705009View attachment 2705010View attachment 2705011

That is really reassuring. Thank you so much for your help!