Hanging out inside the coop?

[kierstog]

I have 10 chickens right now, ages 10 weeks, 13 weeks, and one 16 week roo. Today for the first time they have been going into their coop during the day. All of them.
Evey other day they spend out in their well secured run.
Is there a reason they're doing this? I cleaned the coop today and they did it both before and after cleaning.

 

[sourland]

Any possibility there is a predator in the area ?

 

[kierstog]

Any possibility there is a predator in the area ?

Not that I could tell. But maybe they know something that I don't.

 

[Folly's place]

Something spooked them, and they are being smart. Mary

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I know this sounds silly, but what are they doing in there? I mean, what is their behavior - hiding, hanging out, scratching in the bedding, "playing" on roosting bars, etc.

Do you have any adults at the moment or are they all the ages you listed?
How much time are they spending in the coop?

My youngsters go into the coop, hang out, "explore", play on roosting bars, check out the nesting boxes - it's like they are familiarizing themselves with their surroundings. If it's hot weather, they finally take a short snooze, then out they all come and do their thing. This goes on for about an hour or so a couple of times a day - but this also gives them some "free time" away from the adults too. Oh, they also stand and watch the adults laying an egg - it's funny I look at the cam and they are all just sort of "spectating".

If they are hiding - then you need to investigate whether there is a predator lurking about.