Chickens in the coop during the day???

[Alpen Way Chickens]

I am new to chickens just in the past year, so trying to not go crazy when their behavior changes, but would love some piece of mind and advice. I have seven reds which I inherited when I bought a lodge in Evergreen CO. We hatched three more chicks this past spring and integrated them with the original seven successfully this summer. They have a large chicken coop with an attached large chicken run. They were all hanging out during the day in the run and out in the yard as long as someone was out with them to watch for our local fox and keep an eye out for hawks, etc. They seemed very happy until the original reds started to molt and then strange behaviors began. I got over my fear that they were pecking each other repeatedly once I realized the older hens were actually molting and I then also understood why our egg production was down to one or two every other day. BUT there are still strange (at least to me) behaviors going on. They all were happily eating pellets this summer and suddenly stopped. We switched them to crumbles and they seemed better. I've cut out almost all treats except high protein meal worms and black oil sunflower seeds. They still don't seem to be eating enough, but they also don't seem to be losing weight that I can notice. The other strange behavior is that I am constantly finding them in the coop during the day even when the weather is beautiful and mild. I don't know if this is cause for concern or not. They seem healthy and happy, but just wondering if I am missing something. Any words of wisdom are appreciated.
Thanks - Lisa

 

[pennyJo1960]

I am new to chickens just in the past year, so trying to not go crazy when their behavior changes, but would love some piece of mind and advice. I have seven reds which I inherited when I bought a lodge in Evergreen CO. We hatched three more chicks this past spring and integrated them with the original seven successfully this summer. They have a large chicken coop with an attached large chicken run. They were all hanging out during the day in the run and out in the yard as long as someone was out with them to watch for our local fox and keep an eye out for hawks, etc. They seemed very happy until the original reds started to molt and then strange behaviors began. I got over my fear that they were pecking each other repeatedly once I realized the older hens were actually molting and I then also understood why our egg production was down to one or two every other day. BUT there are still strange (at least to me) behaviors going on. They all were happily eating pellets this summer and suddenly stopped. We switched them to crumbles and they seemed better. I've cut out almost all treats except high protein meal worms and black oil sunflower seeds. They still don't seem to be eating enough, but they also don't seem to be losing weight that I can notice. The other strange behavior is that I am constantly finding them in the coop during the day even when the weather is beautiful and mild. I don't know if this is cause for concern or not. They seem healthy and happy, but just wondering if I am missing something. Any words of wisdom are appreciated.
Thanks - Lisa

Welcome the behavior does not seem odd to me birds when they molt can have a very hard time of it warm oatmeal with yogurt is a great treat or with dried meal worms protein even scrambled eggs can help them