Cornish X Nocturnal?

[doubleatraining]

Has anyone other than me noticed that when all the other chickens are one their roosts sleeping the Cornish are still running around?

I have noticed that when I do my final count and make sure all doors are secure the Cornish are still wide awake....and usually begging for a midnight snack. They are very active and run around then pen all excited.

Are mine just broken?

 

[kfacres]

do you have a light under them? Most 'normal' chickens, feel that the time to sleep and rest.. whereas, the cx only have one thing on their mind.. eat-- then get ate...

 

[doubleatraining]

No, they are light free. I go out with a flashlight. I can hear them running around and chirping at me as soon as I come out of the house.

I'll have to get pictures of them today.....they run around the yard and forage like my other chickens do. They just aren't very fast. LOL

 

[Darin115]

I keep a light on mine all the time. They will pile up in a pile and sleep away from the light in the middle of the day or whenever they want to sleep. I check on them frequently before work and after. Most of the time they are sitting beside the feeder or waterer.

If they are asleep and I go in and disturb them they will lay there like they are sick or don't have the energy to get up and all of a sudden jump up and waddle as fast as they can to the feeder.

Mine are between 4 and 5 weeks old. I did have one to die yesterday for some unknown reason. It was healthy and eating and drinking. It was just dead beside the waterer. No clue.

I think their sleep habits revolve around their eating. If they can catch a nap between meals they may or may not sleep.

Darin

 

[mstricer]

Quote:
You shouldn't need a let on them at that age. If they are piling on top of each other away from the light then it is too hot. I usually take the light away at 3 weeks.

 

[Darin115]

I keep the light on to keep the water from freezing and if they get cold they can get under the light to warm up. Temps are hitting upper 20's at night here on occasion. I just leave it in there to keep water from freezing and if they decide to warm themselves a little. Also they can eat all night if they decide to be hungry.

They are inside a 12'x20' chicken house. It is definately not too hot in there. They have plenty of room to waddle around.

Should I turn the light off on nights it is not going to get down in the 20's? I have been leaving it on all the time so I won't forget to turn it on when the temps get down.

Darin

 

[Tracydr]

Quote:
I've noticed that mine will take little snacks if there is the least amount of light, even when everyone else is roosting. I swear, they should use these chickens to study obesity, they are a model for overeating!

 

[sourland]

It's all about the desire for more feed - they are eating machines.