Well, it can actually be a combination of both, or one or the other. Chickens are able to independently operate each eye while sleeping. This means they can literally sleep with one eye open, and often do! When a group of chickens is on a perch, one on either end will literally act as a lookout keeping their outside eye open.
This begs the question “Do chickens sleep during the day?”
One source proposed A lot of chickens will take a nap during the day too, but this will only be a light sleep. Evolution has taught them to be cautious sleeping during the day due to predators, so don’t be surprised if you startle them.
When chickens are young, they will take naps often throughout the day. This is normal for them, just like most young animals. The chicks will often huddle and sleep together.
Chickens will find the highest – or a combination of the highest and most comfortable – place to sleep at night. If their nesting boxes are higher than their perch, they will almost certainly choose their nesting boxes. Try raising their perch or lowering their nesting boxes, whichever is the easiest for you to do.
The first, and main, reason why chickens sleep in nesting boxes is the nest box is higher than the roost. Chickens will try to roost for the night at the highest place possible in the coop. If your nest box is higher than your roost bars, your chickens will try to claim it as a sleeping spot.
Another common inquiry is “Do chickens need a roosting perch to sleep?”.
The answer is if you’re new to keeping chickens you will have either noticed coops have a perch for chickens to sleep on or been advised to provide one. Roosting perches or roosting bars as they are also called are basically replicating a branch of a tree.
Do chinchillas sleep during the day?
Chickens will sometimes sleep during the day if they didn’t sleep enough at night. This behavior is generally normal, since noise or other factors may have kept them awake. Chickens may also prefer to sleep in the warm sun or take frequent naps to re-energize.
Why are my chicks dying?
My chicks are sick with respiratory infections, as I was researching I found this link and here is what it said,: Liver trouble is a non-contagious ailment that affects mostly older, heavier birds in the late winter and early spring.