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Scardy chickens

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by fos, Jan 23, 2008.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jan 23, 2008 #1
    fos

    fos Hatching

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    Jan 18, 2008
    For the past 6 years I've kept 2 to 4 bantams in my backyard as pets. I currently have 2 that I've had for quite some time. Around Christmas, for reasons unknown, they both became very fearful and have been that way ever since. They never come out of their coop unless I make them and they run right back in when I leave.
    Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be causing this?
     
  2. Jan 23, 2008 #2
    Chirpy

    Chirpy Balderdash

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    They probably had some kind of frightful experience. Most likely a predator (like a hawk, fox or dog or something else) tried to get them and they are still scared from that experience.

    If that's the case, they will most likely overcome their fear with time and start to come out again on their own.

    If it's something else ... I'm stumped!
     
  3. Jan 24, 2008 #3
    chickbea

    chickbea Songster

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    I would agree that it sounds like they were frightened by something.
    Do you only have these two chickens now, or are there others? If you have others and these are older ones, there may have been a recent change in the pecking order and they may have lost status.
     
  4. Jan 24, 2008 #4
    MissPrissy

    MissPrissy Crowing Premium Member

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    I was thinking maybe a hawk or something is close by and they know it.
     

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