Predator Lurking?

[micstrachan]

It’s a beautiful sunny day in California, and while my flock of nine had access to their run and almost two acres of free range space, I found six of them in the bottom level of the coop. Shortly thereafter, the remaining three zoomed across the yard and joined them. Was a predator lurking? I was out with the dog, but was tree trimming (trying to take some weight off on the side nearest the coop before a wind storm hits tonight) and did not have the dog running around as usual.

 

[Shadowfire]

If the chickens spread their wings and fluttered a bit, they were acting normal; that's what they do to get over to their flock, not just when a predator comes. If a predator is chasing them they will be sleek and stretched out running.

 

[micstrachan]

Oh, yes, I love that cute little run. But isn’t it odd they’re hanging out inside the little chicken coop on a beautiful sunny day with access to lots of greens and bugs outside? I’m glad they love their home, but last year they wanted to be out so much, I spent many days standing out in the rain with an umbrella so they could free range. Not sure why they’ve been favoring being inside lately.

 

[Shadowfire]

Scared birds usually huddle together or stay in one corner of the pen. What noises are they making?

 

[micstrachan]

No noises. They are behaving normally except for hanging out in the coop. When they were digging through leaves, there was one general alarm call, but it was short lived. They tend to stand tall at attention when they are scared, and they seemed perfectly relaxed in the coop. So odd.

 

[Stepnout]

You mentioned you were tree trimming. Where you using a power saw or power trimmer? Something noisy? Two weeks ago my hens were free ranging and I started my chain saw they all took off for the coop. They obviously hated he strange new noise.

 

[micstrachan]

Nope. It was a hand saw. Hard work! The giant ladder could have freaked them out a bit, except, they stood by instead of fleeing when I moved it around.

 

[thecreekhouse]

My chickens always voluntarily spend part of each day inside their coop, even when it’s nice outside and they have access to fresh grass. It’s like they take a siesta in there each day or something.