Passive chickens at night

[bird_brain_scientist]

I got home a little late this evening with the chickens still in their detached run. I opened the door to escort them back to their coop, but they would not budge from that run! So I flipped the run on its side and pointed a flashlight at their coop.

Thing I noticed was, the hens would hardly move when I shooed them with a foot / hand toward that coop. And normally they go tearing about the yard when they think I'm trying to pick them up, but I ened up just reaching out and grabbing them, then sticking them in the coop.

What I'm wondering is: what causes the chickens to act this way? Are they sleepy and slow to wake up? Reluctant to move around in the darkness? Frozen in fear? They didn't really make agitated / frightened noises when I grabbed them, and they've never acted that way when frightened during the day.

 

[donrae]

Chickens go night night when it gets dark. Seriously, lights out. That's normal behavior after dark. That's why they roost, they're very easy prey at night. It's an old trick to cover a chicken's head if you have to catch one and mess with it during the day, they think it's night and quit struggling.

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Nighttime is often the best time to have a look at your chickens and check them over for any health concerns because this is when they are knocked out asleep.

 

[swmalone]

ThinkingChickens
Today 10:35 pm
Nighttime is often the best time to have a look at your chickens and check them over for any health concerns because this is when they are knocked out asleep.

That is a great idea. That would have made things so much easier.​

 

[7L Farm]

Chickens can't see in the dark.

 

[bird_brain_scientist]

How interesting! And those are some great tips. Maybe getting them comfortable with handling at night would make sense, too, since they're less likely to run away.

Thanks all for the insight.