Do chickens need direct sun?

[Malquid]

My coop and large run is very shaded by a forest canopy. They seem to lay normal even through the winter. My problem is, people tell me they need light. It’s not like they are in the darkest depths of Mordor where there is a girl so fair. See what I did there?
What do you guys think?

 

[3KillerBs]

Do they get dappled sunlight?

I have no scientific knowledge but I have operated on the assumption that chickens should be allowed to choose sunnier or shadier and would know what they liked.

 

[Lovem all]

I mean they aren't locked in a coop without light so whatever is natural should be fine

 

[rosemarythyme]

No they do not need direct sunlight. Daylight is enough to trigger laying. They might enjoy a bit of sun, for sunbathing, but they're better off with shade vs hot sun.

 

[microchick]

I wanted to make sure before I posted. I thought that like humans and other mammals, Chickens could synthesize vitamin d from sunlight. Yep, they need sun light the same as we do.


Chickens can get vitamin D3 in their bodies through two different routes---by ingestion of it in feed or by direct exposure to sunlight.

Vitamin D deficiency in Chickens - PoultryDVM
www.poultrydvm.com › condition › vitamin-d-deficien.

Granted they can get it from their feed BUT, humans can get it from vitamin supplements and the food we eat also. But what mental health would we be in without sunlight?

Think about battery chickens who spend their entire lives caged in warehouse sized buildings. they never touch the ground, they never have sunlight to sunbathe in or scratch around the dirt in. I want my birds to have better lives than that so while they don't NEED sunlight necessarily, I don't want to deprive them of it either.

 

[Dancingwnature]

My coop and large run is very shaded by a forest canopy. They seem to lay normal even through the winter. My problem is, people tell me they need light. It’s not like they are in the darkest depths of Mordor where there is a girl so fair. See what I did there?
What do you guys think?

But Gollum and the evil one crept up and slipped away with her. I guess you'll have to Ramble On 'til you can get your chickens In The Light!!

 

[Malquid]

Do they get dappled sunlight?

I have no scientific knowledge but I have operated on the assumption that chickens should be allowed to choose sunnier or shadier and would know what they liked.

By dappled, you mean some sun but filtered? Yes definitely. There is a sunny spot they can find. I think you are probably right about them being able to find and choose sun or shade.

 

[Malquid]

But Gollum and the evil one crept up and slipped away with her. I guess you'll have to Ramble On 'til you can get your chickens In The Light!!

excellent! Where have you been all my life?

 

[reddogmaster2]

Good gracious...Did I stumble upon a Lord of The Rings Geek and Geekette dating site?

 

[3KillerBs]

Good gracious...Did I stumble upon a Lord of The Rings Geek and Geekette dating site?

It's a Classic Rock reference.