Are they acting OK otherwise? If so I wouldn't worry, though it does seem odd. My birds do change their habits at times but usually they roost unless they are sick.
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OK so i have posted this in a few spots and no body's been responding to it, but i know i can trust my fellow Iowan's to come through for me
I'm having the same issue with my chickens 8 RIR that are 10 weeks old. I moved them into there coop at 6 weeks. Then at 9 weeks i gave them access to there run. Open the coop every morning at 6ish then leave them be for awhile. when i come back at 8 or 9ish i put them in the run and shut the door, the food is in the run the water is in the run as well as the grit.
now i go back out every few hours and carry then to the food and water they then eat and drink, and i feed them scratch from my hands. they are very friendly and not really afraid of people and some will follow me around the run.
then i open the coop before about an hour or two before dark. they all go inside, but don't use the roost, ( 24" off the ground 12' apart 1' & 2' diameter dowels) but then we put the on the roots they will stay tell the morning.
this is a pic of them hiding they will do this all day
Question 1. Now i have been keeping the food and water and stuff out side, should i put it all back in side? I'm afraid they aren't eating or drinking enough!! i don't want them to became malnourished or dehydrated.
Question 2. Should i not lock them out of the coop all day? I don't want to be mean but i want them out in the nice weather, and to get over there fears.
Question 3. Should i keep putting them on the roost's? I made the mistake not getting them roost's tell 9 or 8 weeks old. I just made small 2" tall 1" diameter roost's for my 4 week old RIRs i will not make the same mistake twice.
Any suggestions?I just want them to be happy and healthy and safe thanks so much