Roosting all day

[Sue Gremlin]

Hi! My 9 chickens (all hens) have started to spend most of the day in bed. I'd be concerned if it were one, but it's most or all of them. They're all bright, alert and in good condition, but only three of them appear to be laying. They go out to their enclosure to eat and drink and hang out, but every time I look at the camera, I see this.
It's just started to get cold here in Michigan, and I haven't been letting them out to free range this week because of the sharp-shinned hawk that's been hanging around and taking dives at them.
None of them are moulting-6 are this year's pullets, and the other 3 are just getting their new feathers from their molts in September. Are they just bored!?
I mean, I am a bit jealous because I want to stay in bed all day this time of year, too.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine stay in the shed more when it's colder, and when there's hawks around on a regular basis. So either thing could be the reason.

Every time we have a temperature drop birds need to acclimate to the new lows. Often they sit around more fluffed up until they get used to lower temperatures. Not every chicken, but enough that I notice it.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I'm thinking it's "warmer" up there ... hot air rises.

 

[aart]

I mean, I am a bit jealous because I want to stay in bed all day this time of year, too.

Is their run out of the wind and rain, roomy with some places to roost?
Maybe a pred has been scoping things out and they are spooked?

 

[Sue Gremlin]

Is their run out of the wind and rain, roomy with some places to roost?
Maybe a pred has been scoping things out and they are spooked?

Yeah, I put up polypropylene panels so it's enclosed on 2 sides. It's pretty comfortable in there. They were really flipped out by the hawk last weekend, but they're very secure in there. They have a few places to roost.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

My first guess is fear of predation. When hawks, dogs, coyotes, raccoons, etc. are afoot, they will find what they feel is a safe place.