Eclipse preparation for chickens

[RAsChickens]

I'm hoping to get this featured, but I thought I'd share some tips I came up with to prepare your backyard flock for the August 21st eclipse. I saw on our local news that the upcoming eclipse can damage people and animals eyes! I was wondering if I should try to make tiny eclipse glasses for my girls, but my fiancé came up with a better idea. He said we could lock them in the coop during the eclipse and cover the window with black cloth. So that's what we are doing for the girls! I would recommend you do the same if your area will be seeing the eclipse. Do you have any other tips for eclipse preparation for chickens?

 

[Mace Gill]

As far as I know, there is nothing damaging to the eyes with an eclipse unless you're trying to look at it. Animals tend not to do this. Just to be sure, I went looking for more info and none was to be found ... if you have a source for a health rise in this PLEASE SHARE!

Now, last eclipse I recall, it didn't get 'dark' but it did get dim ... and there is no info on what animal behavior is like ... I would be inclined NOT to let my flock out lf the run to free range on that day.

 

[FlyWheel]

Animals instinctively avoid looking directly at the sun. It's us stupid humans that have to be told not to (sometimes repeatedly).

 

[RAsChickens]

As far as I know, there is nothing damaging to the eyes with an eclipse unless you're trying to look at it. Animals tend not to do this. Just to be sure, I went looking for more info and none was to be found ... if you have a source for a health rise in this PLEASE SHARE!

Now, last eclipse I recall, it didn't get 'dark' but it did get dim ... and there is no info on what animal behavior is like ... I would be inclined NOT to let my flock out lf the run to free range on that day.

Our local news station (KING 5 Seattle) did a story and said it can cause eyestrain that can last for DAYS if you look at it.

 

[RAsChickens]

I purchased a yard of black fleece at Walmart today so we can cover the coop window.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I purchased a yard of black fleece at Walmart today so we can cover the coop window.

If it makes you feel better that's great, but you are really worrying about something that is not an issue.

 

[centrarchid]

I have been through partial eclipses before with chickens and other stock (horses). I did not see any looking up although they did get quite. The periods where damage likely is before and after totality and based on what I observed previously, the chickens may not pay mind to the astronomical event, at least in terms of observing it.

 

[keesmom]

If it makes you feel better that's great, but you are really worrying about something that is not an issue.

I agree. Unless you have some chickens that like to stare at the sun waiting for Scotty to beam them up I doubt you are going to have a problem. I know our daily routine would remain the same if we were near the eclipse.

 

[Chickassan]

Well you guys know I'm going about business as usual and filming it.I think it's going to be a good time. I've got homemade mead and nothing but absolute anticipation. I'm going to enjoy this.

 

[MrsAuberry00]

I'll be driving through Missouri during the eclipse and my flock will be under the supervision of my husband in southern Indiana, so I'm not going to worry about it. When storm clouds black out the sky, the chickens don't give a hoot...or a bawk, so I can't see this being an issue.