Chickens and the eclipse

[aart]

I look forward to observing your observations.

What's with the green tint of the pics?

 

[mclanea]

So... if they'll go to roost during the eclipse does that mean I might get more eggs?

 

[centrarchid]

I look forward to observing your observations.

What's with the green tint of the pics?

Night shot mode on camcorder.

Observations under way. Birds in barn and cockyard will also be assessed.

 

[Patinas]

Well, it hit 88% totality at my house and disappointed to report...nothing happened! A weird warm glow was all it was and the flock didn't react at all other than they were super quiet but they didn't go inside. The whole thing was bit of disappointment for me. I thought it get darker than it did. Still very cool though from the scientific aspect and all the data they are trying to capture so I will continue to watch it live on TV as it crosses the country!

 

[aart]

Well, it hit 88% totality at my house and disappointed to report...nothing happened! A weird warm glow was all it was and the flock didn't react at all other than they were super quiet but they didn't go inside. The whole thing was bit of disappointment for me. I thought it get darker than it did. Still very cool though from the scientific aspect and all the data they are trying to capture so I will continue to watch it live on TV as it crosses the country!

We're only going to get about 80% here, crescent sun, it's still very cool to see.
The light is neat to...kind of eerie.

 

[The Moonshiner]

We just went through 99.8% and none of the poultry or animals had any reaction.
It got fairly dark but came and went so fast nothing seemed to notice.

 

[centrarchid]

Totality here! Free-range chickens did not break off from foraging until sun blocked. Light level still sufficient for seeing colors. During totality, which last barely under 2 minutes 28 seconds, all three hens and cock coalesced into one group and headed to area where the hens with chicks roost. Once on pavement the progression stopped. NONE went to roost, I repeat NONE WENT TO ROOST. Once light started to increase birds immediately went back out into yard to forage.


NONE of the birds in barn (free-range or penned) or those in cock pens went to roost. Song birds, cicadas and longhorned grasshoppers hushed only during totality. Junvenile Cardinals and Norther Mockingbirds ceased begging for food only during totality.

Close to 100 birds here to observe.

 

[BantyChooks]

Totality here! Free-range chickens did not break off from foraging until sun blocked. Light level still sufficient for seeing colors. During totality, which last barely under 2 minutes 28 seconds, all three hens and cock coalesced into one group and headed to area where the hens with chicks roost. Once on pavement the progression stopped. NONE went to roost, I repeat NONE WENT TO ROOST. Once light started to increase birds immediately went back out into yard to forage.


NONE of the birds in barn (free-range or penned) or those in cock pens went to roost. Song birds, cicadas and longhorned grasshoppers hushed only during totality. Junvenile Cardinals and Norther Mockingbirds ceased begging for food only during totality.

Close to 100 birds here to observe.

Don't you know you need to put black felt on all windows or they will look at the sun and blind themselves?

 

[centrarchid]

This was all too cool! Fun to literally run back and forth checking observation points! Kids had fun but likely too young to recall it clearly later. We now have dark cloud coming in from NW so balance of day will be wet. I will be moving two of the hens and their broods back to the barn. Will cherry pick photographs for posting.

 

[centrarchid]

Kids wearing shades because their future is so bright.

Son taking a break from flying airplane.

Daughter messing with cat that sleeps through whole event.

Funky shadows evident in the woods although we do not check them out. Not enough time. About 90%.

Getting dark fast now. Kids actually taking notice. I am getting excited.

Just before birds start moving back to roost. They are about 35 yards away from roost.

Missouri Dominque hen a little closer from a different direction. She is starting to say uh oh.

Almost there. Chickens moving back to roost area by this time.

Totality with a camcorder.

As close as we get to the roost which was to the right of photograph view.

Game hen and Missouri Dominque heading back into yard.

Blanca dust bathing with only about 5% of sun back out from behind moon. Everything darker than camera recorded.