my chickens come out when its dark!!

[chickenman101]

hello i have a ?. the past few mornings ive been out feeding and watering my chickens before i go to work. its dark and about an hour before the sun comes up but my chickens all come out to greet me. i always thought chickens would stay asleep until it was light outside. is this normal chicken behavior? i was just wondering

 

[chickenman101]

anyone??

 

[Mahonri]

Mine don't get off of the roosts until the light in the coop goes on at 6AM.

They are always back on the roosts by 7PM and the light in the coop doesn't go off until 8PM.

As soon as the Sun comes up before 6AM, I'll shut off the light in the coop.

ALSO, my chickens go by sound. If they are in the coop and hear the gate on the other end of the yard swing open or shut, that's a sign that goody man (me) is bringing food or treats and they are all out into the run awaiting my arrival.

 

[Redfeathers]

It's dark out here right now and my chickens are out wandering around the pen...so I guess it's normal.

 

[chickenman101]

ok thanks

 

[iajewel]

Dark like midnight.. no.. dark like an hour or 2 before sun up.. yes.. My roos start crowing at about 3AM sun isn't up for a few hours at that hour.

 

[Jennings Gamefowl]

second on that roo crowing at 3 in the morning..woke up a couple of times, didnt know what that noise was, thought i was crazy or something, but yep there he was crowing at 3 in the morning...