Is this weird or normal?

[sayccrn]

Hey guys! This is really no big deal. But I am just curious. My girls seem to not like the sun. In the summer, I thought it was just the heat, but now it is freezing and they still run under the coop and out of the sun. I have to still put my tarp up to block the sun and then they will come out and enjoy the whole enclosure. Does anyone else notice this? Are my girls just weird or what?

 

[sourland]

I think they are a bit weird. Generally this time of year birds seek out the sunny/warm spots.

 

[CanadaEh]

are you sure they are not scared of open spaces and either real or imaginary aerial predators associated with them?

 

[sayccrn]

I think they are a bit weird. Generally this time of year birds seek out the sunny/warm spots.

That's what I thought too! But they run and hide.

 

[sayccrn]

are you sure they are not scared of open spaces and either real or imaginary aerial predators associated with them?

They are in a cage with a tarp on the top too. And a chicnic table the could also hide under, but they stay under the coop run, until I block the sun.

 

[CanadaEh]

so are you saying they would be out without tarp cover all day long on cloudy days or on sunny days once a cloud blocks the sun? That would be definitely weird and may be suggesting skin sensitivity to sun

 

[sayccrn]

so are you saying they would be out without tarp cover all day long on cloudy days or on sunny days once a cloud blocks the sun? That would be definitely weird and may be suggesting skin sensitivity to sun

Ok. I have a tarp that covers the top of the enclosure. (I have absolutely no shade in my yard at all.) They do get shade from the top tarp, but not until the sun is up in the sky. So, I have to put another tarp on the west side of the enclosure, the wall side. then they will come out once the tarps give them shade. otherwise they will be under the coop run for shade. If it is a cloudy day, they will be out in the enclosre all day, but if the sun comes out, they go under the the coop unless I put up the tarp on the west side and they have shade.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Yep. That’s weird.

 

[sayccrn]

Yep. That’s weird.

right? I thought at first it was just because I have no other shade and it was summer. But now that it's winter, they still do this. I am working on getting them shade in the form of trees, but they are all just seedlings still, and it will take several years before they are big enough for any worthy shade. I hope after all my hard work they will enjoy the dappled shade. but now, I am not sure.

 

[LizzzyJo]

right? I thought at first it was just because I have no other shade and it was summer. But now that it's winter, they still do this. I am working on getting them shade in the form of trees, but they are all just seedlings still, and it will take several years before they are big enough for any worthy shade. I hope after all my hard work they will enjoy the dappled shade. but now, I am not sure.

How old are they? I am wondering if you should just start removing all shade on sunny days to force them to realize it’s ok. Block off the under coop hiding spot?