Chicks afraid of the sunlight!

[Ohaus82]

I havent found this on any of the forums, but my 3 week old Americaunas are afraid of the sunlight! They spent the first two and a half weeks in the dining room out of direct sunlight, then this weekend it was really warm out, so I brought the brooder outside with me while I was gardening. I gave them half sun and half shade and they all crowded into the shade part. I threw grubs in the brooder and one would run into the sun and pick it up and run right back to the shade. So yesterday I thought maybe they just needed to get used to it and moved the brooder near the window where they would get some indirect sun. They have been camped out in the shady part ever since! Im a little worried that I am stressing them out too much, but they are going to have to learn to like it soon. Im planning on moving them outside sometime in the next 2 weeks (with the heat lamp, of course). Anyone else heard of this? Any 'therapy' you can think of?
Thanks!!

 

[PhilErvin]

By nature they are wired to stay out of the open because of predators. They will get used to the sunlight soon enough.

 

[esthermgr]

What is the outside temp where you live? They might just be hot. Are they panting at all? My chicks first went out on a warm day at 2 wks old, and at first they just stood there looking scared. Then all of a sudden one brave chick jumped up and squawked and they all followed. They love being outside. But if it's hot and sunny, they lay in the shade like any other critter.

If it's not heat, maybe they just need time to adjust their eyes and ease their skin into the sun so they don't sunburn. Chicks that age have a lot of little thin spots where feathers are starting to come in. Those are the only two things I can think of.

 

[Ohaus82]

Thanks guys. I will just give them some more time. Im going out tonight to garden so maybe I will try taking them with again.
Im in Wisconsin, but believe it or not, it has been mid 70s recently! 77 right now! So I thought it would be a good temperature to get them to 'try out' the outside, but still have access to their light if they get cold.
This forum is so helpful! It is great for a new 'mommy'!

 

[PhilErvin]

Welcome to the addiction....

 

[wildorchid053]

i am sure if you distract them with a nice juicy worm they won't even notice the sunshine

 

[sixinva]

When i take my 2 week olds in the sun, they stretch out one wing and flop onto their sides...first time i thought something was wrong, but i guess they are just 'sunning'....then they eventually move to the shadier part of the tub......