My Chickens will not Come Out of Coop !

[sellersV]

Hi Everyone ! Recently I lost one of my beautiful Australorps to a predator , not sure what it was but I think perhaps a hawk. After we lost her, the other 4 girls will not come out of the coop but for very brief periods of time and then they go right back in. We have tried numerous things to get them to stay out but it’s not working very well. We have tried throwing fresh grass clipp8ngs and old leaves for them to scratch around in, giving them yogurt and tomatoes, etc Will this behavior correct itself ? It’s been a little over a week since the incident occurred. Any tips ? Concerned because I know it’s not really healthy for them to stay in the coop all day ? Should I shut it off during the day? They still would have an enclosed protected area if I did. Appreciate any ideas.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It will eventually, over time. Stressed birds will respond to that stress but eventually, they'll calm down.

 

[Shadrach]

Hi Everyone ! Recently I lost one of my beautiful Australorps to a predator , not sure what it was but I think perhaps a hawk. After we lost her, the other 4 girls will not come out of the coop but for very brief periods of time and then they go right back in. We have tried numerous things to get them to stay out but it’s not working very well. We have tried throwing fresh grass clipp8ngs and old leaves for them to scratch around in, giving them yogurt and tomatoes, etc Will this behavior correct itself ? It’s been a little over a week since the incident occurred. Any tips ? Concerned because I know it’s not really healthy for them to stay in the coop all day ? Should I shut it off during the day? They still would have an enclosed protected area if I did. Appreciate any ideas.

Where exactly did the hawk get the hen?

 

[50-45-1]

Concerned because I know it’s not really healthy for them to stay in the coop all day

well, i think they figured out its not really healthy to be out exposed in the run either.

They still would have an enclosed protected area if I did

what did you do to safeguard against another predator attack in the same area?
sorry you lost your bird! the others probably saw it happen and it upset them and makes them mistrustful of that area.

 

[sellersV]

Where exactly did the hawk get the hen?

We are not sure but we think she jumped over the fence that leads from the garden.

 

[sellersV]

I know they are stressed but is there anything else we can do ?

 

[sellersV]

well, i think they figured out its not really healthy to be out exposed in the run either.

what did you do to safeguard against another predator attack in the same area?
sorry you lost your bird! the others probably saw it happen and it upset them and makes them mistrustful of that area.

We have closed the gate to the garden,which is where we think she jumped over.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I know they are stressed but is there anything else we can do ?

Just make them as comfortable as you can and make things mundane by not throwing any curves their way.