- Thread starter
- #1
Hey y'all im new to byc. And a new owner of 8 chickens. 1 rooster and 7 hens. My question is why do two of my hens hang outbin the coop while the rest of the flock go out and free range?
new to byc and new chicken owner
- Thread starter FarmerMike
- Start date
Welcome to BYC!
You might want to check these two over for any health issues just in case they have something that is causing them to be a bit lethargic. Possibly they feel threatened or maybe got scared of something out in the field.
As long as they are eating, drinking, laying eggs and acting healthy in every other way, then it may be just a passing thing and eventually they will get back to free ranging.
Enjoy your flock and welcome to ours!
- Thread starter
- #3
How do you check a chicken over for health issues? Should I separate them from the flock?
Welcome to BYC!
I'm new to BYC too so I'm not the best to answer but from my experience just make sure u see them eating and drinking. U can try giving them a tasty treat to get everyone attention. To check a chicken over for health just make sure they r not limping check for feather lose, make sure there combs are a healthy red color eyes look clear they are not sneezing it anything like that. Hope this helps. Also remember in new to this too so hopefully some others will post too.
Also I would only seperate them if u are concerned or haven't seen them eat. This way u can monitor there eating or if u notice one of the things I listed above
I'm new to BYC too so I'm not the best to answer but from my experience just make sure u see them eating and drinking. U can try giving them a tasty treat to get everyone attention. To check a chicken over for health just make sure they r not limping check for feather lose, make sure there combs are a healthy red color eyes look clear they are not sneezing it anything like that. Hope this helps. Also remember in new to this too so hopefully some others will post too.
Also I would only seperate them if u are concerned or haven't seen them eat. This way u can monitor there eating or if u notice one of the things I listed above
Hello 
and Welcome To BYC! X3 on check the two stranglers over well, here is a really nice off site article on giving a chicken a check up http://www.communitychickens.com/2012/07/9-point-comb-to-toe-chicken-check-up.html
Some chickens are just lazy also, if their food is in the coop they may not feel a real need to go find more. Also chickens that are going to lay an egg that day, often tend to hang around the coop until they have laid it.
You might also like to check out the BYC Learning Center, lots of good articles on all aspects of chicken keeping. https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
and Welcome To BYC! X3 on check the two stranglers over well, here is a really nice off site article on giving a chicken a check up http://www.communitychickens.com/2012/07/9-point-comb-to-toe-chicken-check-up.htmlSome chickens are just lazy also, if their food is in the coop they may not feel a real need to go find more. Also chickens that are going to lay an egg that day, often tend to hang around the coop until they have laid it.
You might also like to check out the BYC Learning Center, lots of good articles on all aspects of chicken keeping. https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
- Thread starter
- #8
Thanks guys, today the two stragglers came out of the coop for a couple hours, there combs are pinkish red,asvis there wattles. However I have noticed a single feather on the floor of the coop today. But other than that they seem normal. Thanks again for all the responses.
Welcome to BYC - chickens HATE change, and it takes some longer to adjust than it takes others. It does not sound as if there are any health issues with your birds.
- Thread starter
- #10
Thank you, that is great news for me. I dont want them to get ill. I want them to be healthy and happy
