Needing advice...or therapy. Too chicken to let the chickens out...

[cmom]

I absolutely believe they remember traumatic events. I had a raccoon claw through the plastic corrugated roof of my coop and kill a few of mine and the rest of them wouldn't go near the coop after that. They ended up roosting on our deck railing next to the house.

I see you are a fairly new member. I agree the birds do remember traumatic experiences. In the past when the birds have had a traumatic experience I have moved them to another coop (I have a few coops) and that seems to help.

 

[MrsAuberry00]

I had a moment of near weakness a few days ago and almost let them out. I decided to keep them in their run and no more than 5 minutes later as I was sitting outside brushing out the dog, I heard a hawk, looked up and there were FOUR RED-TAILED HAWKS circling above my house and yard. ARGH! I'm glad I resisted.

 

[cmom]

I'm not letting mine out since three weeks ago today a Fox took my precious very special bird Gladys during the day when I wasn't far away painting coops. For now they are staying in their nice large pens and yesterday I bought some flock blocks to keep them occupied.