There probably is. Alligators are jerks.
Living in FL I've learned to expect them in all sorts of places, pools, drainage ditches, even climbing chain link fences.
OP, I'm voting predators too.
Hiding out in the woods is another "safe place". Especially when temps are not hot and bugs are not plentiful.
Predators hunt differently. Racoons tend to march in, do their best to break in, then skedaddle on elsewhere for the night. Whereas other predators stalk and harass (coyotes, felines, etc). Raptors tend to swoop past the same area several times in a row from different directions if they can, screeching to flush prey out. That sort of thing uses prey animals fear against them. Thus, chickens behave differently in response to different predators.
I'd keep an eye on them if you can. Check the area for tracks of something stalking them, or digging near the coop. And listen for hawks, etc.
I was startled the other day to look outside and see a Peregrine Falcon perched on the chick brooder! The only thing that alerted me was the roo making a small whistle. It wasn't the usual alert sound, honestly I think he was scared to draw its attention. The main flock was all hiding in the woods. I've never seen a falcon in FL, had to look it up! But apparently they do roam here too.
