by Kim Berg, CoopCrate staff writer
Summertime is the perfect time to soak up the sun… for humans and chickens alike! Sunshine is essential for your entire flock, as it gives them a sense of time, provides them with an easy source of Vitamin D, and in turn provides a vast array of health benefits. Keep reading to learn the reasons why sunshine is great for your flock!
Sunshine Keeps Your Chickens on Schedule
The sun allows chickens to determine when they should wake up and when they should sleep. The cycles of the sunrise and sunset control a chicken’s circadian rhythms. This is why a rooster will often crow at sunrise!
Sunshine Promotes Egg Laying
The pineal gland is located behind a chicken’s eyes, and is activated by the daylight. As the days get longer, the hen’s pineal gland will send a hormone to her ovary to begin egg-production. Chickens should be exposed to between 12 and 16 hours of light per day, with the latter being best for optimum egg production.
In addition, Vitamin D provided by sunshine can increase nutrient absorption. A chicken that absorbs more calcium will lay eggs with stronger shells, and will also have stronger bones themselves!
Sunshine Promotes Overall Health
A chicken’s uropygial gland, also referred to as the preen gland or oil gland, is located at the base of their tail. It secretes an oil that they will spread all over their feathers as they preen. When exposed to sunlight, this oil produces additional Vitamin D.
Sunshine Reduces Pathogens
Allowing sunshine into your chickens’ run will prevent it from being overrun with bacteria and mold. For this reason, it is important to ensure that the run is not fully enclosed. If you are going to cover a part of the run, it should be the feeding and dust bath area only.
The Numbers
Newly hatched chicks require 3,000 – 4,000 IU/kg of Vitamin D daily.
Young and growing chickens require 2,000 – 3,000 IU/kg of Vitamin D daily.
Laying hens require 3,000 – 4,000 IU/kg of Vitamin D daily.
Breeders require 3,000 – 4,500 IU/kg of Vitamin D daily.
These numbers can be easily achieved by allowing your chickens 15-30 minutes outside in the sunshine each day.
If Sunshine is Missing…
A chicken that receives inadequate amounts of sunshine (and therefore inadequate amounts of Vitamin D) might experience a range of health issues. Some of these are low egg production, brittle bones, stunted growth, wry neck, and osteoporosis. It can also cause your flock to be irritable, more aggressive, and can lead to feather pecking.
Chickens love spending time outside in the sun. However, too much sunshine is never a good thing! Always ensure your chickens have a source of shade to cool down when the temperatures run high. But if you provide your chickens with proper amounts of sunshine, they are bound to experience a good schedule, increased egg production, and reap the health benefits!