Hiding hens

[Sragu01]

Hi! We are very new chicken parents. Our flock is about 16 weeks old and includes 7 hens and 1 rooster. The last few days I have noticed several of the girls not wanting to get off their roosts and come out of the coop in the morning (they eventually do) and then going in early to their roosts at night. Is this normal or do you think they are hiding from the roo? Will they get used to his attentions or should we consider getting rid of him? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[aart]

Have you had them since they hatched?
They could well be hiding from the male.

 

[Sragu01]

Have you had them since they hatched?
They could well be hiding from the male.

Yes we’ve had all 8 (7 hens and one roo) since they were hatched.

 

[mcdze]

usually theyll follow the direction of a roo if he's dominant .. and if theres not much space he may be the reason, but i doubt theyre avoiding him, more like hes 'telling' them to avoid you because he's the boss lol .. and i wouldnt keep a roo unless you want to breed them, and/or you free roam them, they do give early warning to danger .. other than that theyre a pita waste of feed lol ..