Direct sun light requirements

[mc22911]

I'm building a coop and want to put it in an area of my yard with little direct sun light. Will this be a problem for egg production? Do they need a certain amount of direct sunlight?


Thanks.

 

[Mahonri]

They don't need "direct" sun light.

I have a sky light in my coop and it makes it 'light' enough IMHO.

Of course here in AZ they need as much shade as possible!!

 

[tasymo]

My Girls really prefer shade to direct sunlight, though a quick sunbath is occasionally in order if the mood strikes. They hang out under my bench, or under the trailer or under the mulberry tree much of the time. As long as your coop locations gets even a small amount of sun, and isn't constantly damp, your chickens will probably appreciate the shade.

 

[CMV]

My chickens, which are cold hardy breeds, hate direct sunlight. They like to hang in the shade. The first thing I had to buy for them was a large shade cloth to cover most of their run space. They are dark colored and I think they must get too hot in the sun because you never see them out in it.

 

[briteday]

Watch their eggs. If you stop getting hard shells then they probably need more sunlight. Direct sunlight provides vitamin D which is essential for the metabolism of calcium that forms shells. We get plenty of sunshine where we live. And my birds only stay under the shade cover when it is over 90 degrees. Otherwise they prefer to be out wandering the pasture.