5 Month Old Chickens Won’t Leave Coop

[VirulentVulpine]

My 5-6 month old chickens that I’ve raised since they hatched have begun staying in their coop all day. I have 2 brahmas, 1 red sex link, and 1 silkie.

The temperature is 65 degrees during the day and they’re definitely not cold, I’ve seen them out hanging around in much colder. They seem perfectly healthy, and still come over to get attention if I peek in.

They’re laying down a lot as well, are they possibly going to start laying eggs soon?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

Unfortunately... the laying hormone is light induced... and according to how red your combs aren't... you are not that close to eggs, at least a month. In fact combs look younger than stated age If it's important to you... you can try adding some light... not more than 14 hours total daylight to bring them into lat instead of waiting for light to increase naturally.

Most often when my birds are unusually in the coop... there has been a hawk or other predator sighting.

Cute little flock ya got there.

 

[VirulentVulpine]

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

Unfortunately... the laying hormone is light induced... and according to how red your combs aren't... you are not that close to eggs, at least a month. In fact combs look younger than stated age If it's important to you... you can try adding some light... not more than 14 hours total daylight to bring them into lat instead of waiting for light to increase naturally.

Most often when my birds are unusually in the coop... there has been a hawk or other predator sighting.

Cute little flock ya got there.

That makes sense. The area their pen is located is nearly fully shaded most of the day, we live in the forest so not much sunlight.