Are my chickens afraid to go in their coop?

[momoffourcubs]

The temperature was in the 90s a few of days ago. We made a special treat for our chickens, filling a pan with frozen corn, cranberries, mixed veggies,etc., covering it with water and freezing it. The idea was that the chickens would peck at it to cool down and enjoy some treats at the same time. We set it outside their coop, as they were free ranging around the yard. Throughout the day we moved it around the yard, but they showed no interest in trying it. We finally set it in the coop. Unfortunately they went in to investigate, stood/sat on it, and completely freaked out, squawking and flying like crazy around the coop. Ever since, they have been very hard to get back into their coop at night. At they afraid to be in their coop now, from this bad experience? If so, any suggestions on how to make them feel comfortable again in their coop?

 

[aart]

Chickens can be 'chicken'! They are often afraid of new things and don't like change.
So yes, they are spooked because you put that strange thing in their 'safe place' - the coop.

Time will cure their fear. If the heat factor allows you to keep them confined to the coop for a full day, lock them in there and bring them some treats they are not afraid of to help them feel comfortable again.

When offering something new, just set it down in the run and let them discover it on their own.
I recently introduced a shallow pan with a dozen ice cubes and an inch of water into the run on a hot day, it took my junior flock a good hour to touch it, but once one of them did it didn't take long for the others to check it out.

 

[momoffourcubs]

Thank you! Great suggestion. The temperature will be cooler today, so I will try keeping them in their coop with some special treats today.