Fearful chickens

[davidsgirl]

What could have caused my three chickens to be fearful in their run? Their coop leads down into the run and then the run has a small opening so they can go in and out to an enclosed and netted grazing area. I found it odd that one of my girls wasn't coming out of the coop during the day and every time i open the coop door she fluffs herself up, drops her head low and makes gurgling noises. If I take her out of the coop and put her in the run she will not go through the opening to the netted area but goes back up into the coop. The other two were nervous the other day walking through the opening. Tonight one of the two is fine but she has always been the most confident. The other of the two was so nervous coming through the opening, I had to coax her through so she could go up for the night. I've had to move their water and food from that area because they were not eating or drinking. When I let them out in the morning they would run over to another coop to drink and eat from there or follow me to the hose to drink.

I pulled out the rocks that were in that corner, cleaned it up so they have a good visual of an open area but still are cautious and looking and my one girl still will not come out of the coop to be in the enclosed area for the day. This has been going on for about 5 days. And the one hiding layed two soft-shell eggs in a row when this all started. Also, when she is out in the yard with the others during the day, if anybody comes near her she fluffs herself up and the other two seem to be a little bully-ish with her now. They have never had any behavior issues with each other before this episode.

This is quite puzzling so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TalkALittle]

Sounds like something scared them. Could there have been an attempted predator attack. Fox trying to get in the run? A hawk doing flybys?

 

[davidsgirl]

By the way they are acting it was something in the corner of the run. Not the typical reaction to an overhead predator. Would a black rat snake, copperhead or squirrel in the run cause them to react like this? I have seen no other signs of any other predators. There's no way for a fox or raccoon to get into the enclosure, although i saw a squirrel go in the other day.