Must chooks get lots of sunlight

Quoker · **Joined:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 4:19 pm **Posts:** 2

Must chooks get lots of sunlight or can they go ok with just a little?

I want to use a bird aviary as a chook coop and it has a full roof so they won't get much sunlight

Is this ok?

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:57 am

Chooks as with people do need sunlight for Vitamin D, especially during the winter months; a Vitamin D deficiency can lead to Rickets, thread below.

http://www.australianpoultryforum.com/v ... =60&t=1013

If housing them in an aviary, with not much sunlight, then they would need to have access to free ranging to get some sun on those feathers.

Quoker · **Joined:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 4:19 pm **Posts:** 2

I can do that but how much time do they need per day?

zodo · **Joined:** Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:51 am **Posts:** 1

Mine get lots of sun but I have noticed the white hens turn a shade of yellow is that normal

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Thu Mar 22, 2012 1:00 pm

I think that animals with white fur and feathers are more sensitive to the sun, not sure if the feather discolouration is due to the sun though.

Chicka-Dee · **Joined:** Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:12 am **Posts:** 1194

Hi Quoker

I have read somewhere that people hold try & get 10 minutes a day of sunlight to maintain a good level of vitamin D.

Not sure if chooks need more or less but I don't normally see my girls lie in the sun for a really long time (e.g.: 1/2 hr). Maybe 15-20 max is the most I've seen them lying around.

Cheers
Chicka-Dee

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 1:15 pm

Yes, it is also very important for humans to be exposed sunlight as it can result in a severe Vitamin D deficiency that can result in a lot of osteo reulted problems as we age.

Catch some sun in moderation befor it's too late...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

When I had my trio of Araucana's they used to love to stretch out on the brick paving and sun bake. Getting natural sun light is very important for chooks to help them absorb calcium and make eggs, lack of Vitamin D can lead to a calicum deficiency poor egg production and other health related problems like weakness in their bones and legs.

BigFishLittleFish · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:05 am

what a funny but great photo PP !

my little girls LOVE sun baking too... but they still sit up right with their heads stretched towards the sun and eyes closed ...relaxing.... they LOVE to sun bake. they will go seeing spots with direct sun light for sun baking then move back to the shady parts when too hot and had enough.

Chicka-Dee · **Joined:** Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:12 am **Posts:** 1194

That photo is funny PP

The girls look like they're dead! Mine just fluff up & sort of lye half on their side.

Not completely keel over.

So I think we have established that they like sun, but still haven't established how long. Which I think they determine for themselves.

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