Please help!

[Hannah072]

Hi, my friend has a few chickens, and whenever I go to feed them or put them to bed they seem really quiet. They are still eating and drinking, although I have noticed they are not eating as well as they were in the summer, and they are spending more time up in the coop than in the downstairs run. They used to be let out during the day and have the run of the yard, but at the moment they are having to stay in their coops due to a rat problem.

I don't really know a lot about chickens - could they maybe be depressed? Please could anyone give me some advice

 

[PtldChick]

Where are you? It's winter and when hens stop laying (due to less light), they eat less. Also,if it's cold, they may just prefer to be in the coop instead of the run. I imagine their run is not that large so maybe a warmer boring space is better than a colder boring space to them.

Also, as you are not their normal person, they may just be more quiet around you. That is normal prey animal behavior - don't call attention to yourself if you don't know it's safe.