Weird and really random question about chickens sleeping.....

[JensChickies]

I have often wondered the same thing! I don't know if one of my roosters ever sleeps. Every time I go outside in the middle of the night (which is quite often), if I make any noise at all, he will start crowing. The coop is a good 70 yards from my house, so he can hear pretty good too. My other 2 roosters don't make a sound. Is it common for roosters to crow in the middle of the night?

I don't know, I am not familiar with roosters. They must be realllllly light sleepers. Your one rooster that crows is a built in security system for your flock.

 

[centrarchid]

See linked thread below as it depicts chickens in deep sleep. These birds were accustomed to frequent comings and goings through front door getting them to relax..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/454020/interesting-picture-of-chickens-sleeping


First in near infrared.

Second in visible light.

 

[krista74]

Oh, that is so cute!

 

[scottcaddy]

Do chickens ever go into a deep sleep like humans do...REM sleep??? Every time I check on my girls at night they are always wide awake....obviously because they heard me coming. Do they just sleep with "one eye open" all the time?? Mine will sometimes take a little snooze during the day, but it doesn't last very long.

Just a random thought that ran across my mind. I have never snuck up on my chickens like I can with my cats.

Yes, Chickens do deep sleep. I have several different chicken houses/pens/runs depending on age sex and other factors. Most of our birds do sleep with head tucked in wing after they are 2 months are so old. I do late night/early morning walk-a-abouts or if the dogs get real upset (not just a passing deer or such). I have to touch them or make a weird sound for them to wake up, if it's a normal sound they snore away (and yes if a bird snores I pull it for treatment)

Scott

 

[JensChickies]

Yes, Chickens do deep sleep. I have several different chicken houses/pens/runs depending on age sex and other factors. Most of our birds do sleep with head tucked in wing after they are 2 months are so old. I do late night/early morning walk-a-abouts or if the dogs get real upset (not just a passing deer or such). I have to touch them or make a weird sound for them to wake up, if it's a normal sound they snore away (and yes if a bird snores I pull it for treatment)

Scott

Lol...they snore!

 

[JensChickies]

See linked thread below as it depicts chickens in deep sleep. These birds were accustomed to frequent comings and goings through front door getting them to relax..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/454020/interesting-picture-of-chickens-sleeping


First in near infrared.

Second in visible light.

They are pretty cute like that,

 

[JensChickies]

I am going to try to sneak up on my girls tonight...lol. All attempts have been unsuccessful though.

 

[scottcaddy]

I am going to try to sneak up on my girls tonight...lol. All attempts have been unsuccessful though.

Don't sneak, just walk about like normal, it's the 'that was different' sounds that wake them up.
Good luck!!

Scott

 

[keesha63]

I have a night vision camera in my coop as well. Chickens are quite active during the night...at various times when I check in on them, they can sometimes all be awake and preening at 3 in the morning. Most often when I look in at least one is awake and standing up looking around.

 

[JensChickies]

I have a night vision camera in my coop as well. Chickens are quite active during the night...at various times when I check in on them, they can sometimes all be awake and preening at 3 in the morning. Most often when I look in at least one is awake and standing up looking around.

Yes! I think because it's dark they don't move from where they are, but they are awake. I wonder how much sleep chickens need? I would assume they don't need very much since their instincts tell them wake up all the time.