/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

Why won't my non-broody Ameraucana come out of the coop?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by chicknmom, Oct 21, 2015.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Oct 21, 2015 #1
    chicknmom

    chicknmom Chillin' With My Peeps

    28
    1
    59
    Nov 30, 2013
    Neither of my two ~15 month old Ameraucanas has laid any eggs in a few weeks. I assume that's because of the season (moulting).

    However, I have recently become aware that one of them just stays in the coop all the time. I don't know if she is ever coming out for food or drink. She doesn't appear sick. If I take her out, she makes a dash back to the coop and - when I block it - she veers into some nearby bushes and hides there. I don't believe she is broody - she isn't behaving broody and isn't sitting in the nest boxes but on one of the perches in the coop.

    I can see no evidence that she is being bullied by the other hens in the flock, but she is acting so strangely.

    Any ideas? Thanks.
     
  3. Oct 21, 2015 #2
    oldhenlikesdogs

    oldhenlikesdogs Sits With Chickens Premium Member

    15,914
    3,509
    436
    Jul 16, 2015
    central Wisconsin
    Molting can be quite uncomfortable, mine sometimes will hide for a few weeks, it seems it's as the new feathers are emerging, any touching I'm sure hurts, mine eventually went back outside after their feathers grew back.
     
  5. Oct 21, 2015 #3
    Blooie

    Blooie Team Spina Bifida Premium Member

    12,673
    5,413
    436
    Feb 25, 2014
    Northwestern Wyoming
    My Coop
    x2 My poor Gladys and Mathilda seem to be suffering the most. Those feathers hurt when they are coming back in all bristly and they just don't want to be touched - even in passing. So they each have a spot on the roost and they are pretty much hanging out up there after they eat and get a drink.
     
  7. Oct 22, 2015 #4
    aart

    aart Chicken Juggler! Premium Member

    32,703
    5,460
    556
    Nov 27, 2012
    SW Michigan
    My Coop
    I've witnessed the isolating and increased lounging/resting during the day with molting birds.
    Might want to increase their protein during the molt.
     
  9. Oct 22, 2015 #5
    Blooie

    Blooie Team Spina Bifida Premium Member

    12,673
    5,413
    436
    Feb 25, 2014
    Northwestern Wyoming
    My Coop
    Yep, and I should have said that and for some reason I spaced it! Duh, Diane!
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by