8 weekers didn't want to leave coop this morning. Normal?

[ChickenHawk12]

They were in the house in a brooder until 6 1/2 weeks old. The coop was finally finished enough to put them outside about a week and a half ago, but the run still isn't built. So they have been free-ranging 12 hours a day in our fenced-in backyard. I open the coop door in the morning when I get up, and they are waiting at the door. They usually come flying out, and don't go back in until I shoo them in at dusk and lock them in. I leave the door open all day so they can come and go (their food, water, and grit is still in there with extra water dishes outside in the yard), but they usually don't go in there on their own.

This morning, when I opened the door, they were waiting there, but nobody came out. I left them be with the door open, went inside, came back out an hour later and they were still in there. Is this normal? Do you think they got spooked by something overnight? Do you think they just still don't "get" the coop? We finally scooped them up and out of the coop, and they are rummaging around the yard now, they didn't run back in. Otherwise, they look and act fine.

 

[chiques chicks]

They may have been spooked overnight. Then again maybe they thought it was the weekend and wanted to sleep in.

I would keep an eye on them to be sure nothing is amiss, like illness or other truly of behavior and chalk it up to chickens being chickens.

It isn't a bad idea to leave them locked in the coop for a few days to a week so they come to think of it as home. It will help them return there at night to sleep.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

They could be spooked but the timing of events makes me wonder if it could be something else. As I understand it, they were inside your house for 6 1/2 weeks - have been outside on soil for 1 1/2 weeks - and are now 8 weeks old.

I'd watch their behavior closely. Are they eating as normal? Drinking? Are they acting lethargic, sitting around puffed up? Examine their droppings, has there been any change in them?

I'm asking as it takes about 1-2 weeks for cocci to set in and they've been on the soil for about that amount of time. Medicated feed is a preventative for cocci but they can get it even if on medicated feed. I'm not sure where you're located but it's been unusually hot and wet in my location and both factors create a breeding ground for cocci.

Should you notice them being puffed up and lethargic, I'd treat them with Corid. It won't hurt them if it's not cocci but could save them if it is. I'm hopeful that a thunder storm or something spooked them but it wouldn't hurt to watch them closely for signs that it could be something else.

 

[ChickenHawk12]

They could be spooked but the timing of events makes me wonder if it could be something else. As I understand it, they were inside your house for 6 1/2 weeks - have been outside on soil for 1 1/2 weeks - and are now 8 weeks old.

I'd watch their behavior closely. Are they eating as normal? Drinking? Are they acting lethargic, sitting around puffed up? Examine their droppings, has there been any change in them?

I'm asking as it takes about 1-2 weeks for cocci to set in and they've been on the soil for about that amount of time. Medicated feed is a preventative for cocci but they can get it even if on medicated feed. I'm not sure where you're located but it's been unusually hot and wet in my location and both factors create a breeding ground for cocci.

Should you notice them being puffed up and lethargic, I'd treat them with Corid. It won't hurt them if it's not cocci but could save them if it is. I'm hopeful that a thunder storm or something spooked them but it wouldn't hurt to watch them closely for signs that it could be something else.

They have been outside full-time for 1 1/2 weeks, but I started putting them out in the yard as soon as the weather was warm enough, at about 3 weeks old or so, for progressively longer amounts of time. By the time we put them outside full time, they were already spending a good 5 hours a day in the yard anyway.

I do have Corid on hand just in case, although I'd rather not use it unless they are actually sick. We did have a severe thunderstorm the night before last, but nothing last night. Since they have been out in the yard today, they are acting happy and pecking around like normal. I even caught them in my garden :-(

I will keep an eye out for being puffed up and lethargic. I haven't seen any bloody or odd-looking poop, but I will keep an eye out. Thanks!

 

[aart]

They did that just to make you worry for a little while ;-)