Staying in coop today….nice weather…why??

[Tracyree]

My 11 chickens have an 8’x6’ indoor coop and a 16’x20’ enclosed run. They typically leave coop first thing in morning and stay it till bedtime. They are about 18 weeks and have been living in this coop for about two months. It’s a beautiful day outside and they are are staying indoors. I went out and lured them out with treats and they went right back in as soon as they finish. Any ideas why?

 

[WingItRanch]

Maybe a predator lurking about that scared them? Mine did the same thing and I found a snake near the run. It couldn't get in but the chicks all ran up into their coop. Good survival instincts!

Or since they're 18 weeks, maybe they're checking out the nest boxes??...

 

[Tracyree]

Maybe a predator lurking about that scared them? Mine did the same thing and I found a snake near the run. It couldn't get in but the chicks all ran up into their coop. Good survival instincts!

Or since they're 18 weeks, maybe they're checking out the nest boxes??...

Maybe. I haven’t seen anything but maybe they did.

Their combs are still pretty pale, so I don’t think they’ll lay quite yet. Just counters and they are more like 17 weeks. Boo.

 

[Tracyree]

Well, last night there was a family of raccoons around the coop. Must be why.

 

[WingItRanch]

Well, last night there was a family of raccoons around the coop. Must be why.

Yikes! If it were me, I'd set traps. I've read enough horror stories on here of crafty predators getting into "predator proof" runs to just nip it in the bud. Especially raccoons with their little hand-like paws.