Chicks laying funny

[jmeeter88]

My chicks have started laying funny - on their sides with their wings stretched out. What does this mean? I tried to take some pics:

 

[spook]

It means they are loving the heat lamp. Full grown birds will do this in the sunshine- we call it recharging! its great to see your birds sprawled out. Keep in mind that you may be able to lessen the light wattage. Each week of age you can decrease 5 degrees.
Enjoy!
Kel

 

[fshinggrl]

I always take that to mean that they are warm. It would be a way of cooling off.

 

[jmeeter88]

Okay, the heat lamp makes sense. I didn't have one until the temp dropped in the last couple days. I just installed one earlier and they started basking under it immediately.

 

[BarkerChickens]

Chicks like to way in the strangest positions! The chicks are just laying in a "comfortable" position. A few of our chicks would lay on their stomachs with their heads and feet stretched out with their wings puffed out. They looked like rubber chickens!

I swear sometimes they lay in a position just to freak us out!

 

[rainbowgardens]

The first time my husband came across our hens sun/dustbathing, he got startled and called for me. He thought for sure something was wrong! It just doesn't look normal.

 

[codybird]

I thought they were dying of convulsions the first time I saw it.

I guess I thought chickens just walked and sat.

 

[toyzbox]

My sister in law came running into the kitchen yesterday yelling "I think one of the chicks is dying" I dropped everything and ran back to the brooder. That baby was stretched all the way out and one leg was sticking out (a new one even for me). I just looked at her and said "HEY!! cut that out, your upsetting your aunt" And she jumped up and started running around like usual. All I could do was laugh. My sister was still upset.