Chickens staying in the coop suddenly

[MrsBillius]

Hey, all - my small flock of 6 pullets were doing great in their run during the day for weeks, but very suddenly started spending every day all day inside the coop.. today is day 4 of this - they come out to the run only a few times to eat/drink and return right back to the coop (8'x8'). I've not found or heard any evidence of predators that might be scaring them and nothing has changed in their run (8'x16'). Someone told me to lock them out of the coop during the day for a few days, but I'm struggling with that since they should have a retreat space if they're scared. Am I wrong? What should I do? Should I wait this out? Should I force the issue? Is it ok for them to spend days inside the coop? They're too young to lay, so I know they're not seeking the nesting boxes. Would appreciate your thoughts and input...

 

[sourland]

I would not lock them out of the coop. The greatest possibility is that there is a predator, very likely aerial, in the area.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Also perhaps a one-time visit by a dog or cat, etc., that you didn’t see.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Mine went through a phase like this. What happens if you go out to their run to visit, bearing treats? Will they come out to greet you? If so, do they seem anxious?

 

[pennyJo1960]

If they will come out to greet you?
Keep food and water in the coop.
That will deter predators if no food seen also.
Behaviors will change as they start to lay.

 

[jbj25]

What kind of setup do you have in your coop? What are they doing while they are hanging inside during the day? Are they busy at something while in there?
I have a large walk in coop with a dirt floor and deep bedding so I have always had them when they would go through periods of hanging in the coop digging and digging. They will do it for days or even weeks like they are on a mission. Perfectly normal there.

 

[MrsBillius]

I would not lock them out of the coop. The greatest possibility is that there is a predator, very likely aerial, in the area.

Agreed. I thought it would make things so awful for them if they couldn’t retreat, so I’d never do that.

 

[MrsBillius]

What kind of setup do you have in your coop? What are they doing while they are hanging inside during the day? Are they busy at something while in there?
I have a large walk in coop with a dirt floor and deep bedding so I have always had them when they would go through periods of hanging in the coop digging and digging. They will do it for days or even weeks like they are on a mission. Perfectly normal there.

They do have deep bedding so maybe that’s the draw? They hang out inside laying and sometimes digging, sometimes climbing on the roost, sometimes laying under the nesting boxes.

 

[jbj25]

They do have deep bedding so maybe that’s the draw? They hang out inside laying and sometimes digging, sometimes climbing on the roost, sometimes laying under the nesting boxes.

Oh, yes, I think that is what they are doing. And, you want them to do that to turn that stuff over. If they are like every flock I have had then after they finish their mission lol they will return to the outside for awhile. I think they are fine.

 

[MrsBillius]

Mine went through a phase like this. What happens if you go out to their run to visit, bearing treats? Will they come out to greet you? If so, do they seem anxious?

They do come out if I step into the run. They seem very on alert and run back to the coop door frequently, but they also jump up in me for a bit. It’s new.. they were more relaxed for the past several weeks.