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

[chicknmom]

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.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

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.

 

[Blooie]

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.

 

[aart]

I've witnessed the isolating and increased lounging/resting during the day with molting birds.
Might want to increase their protein during the molt.

 

[Blooie]

I've witnessed the isolating and increased lounging/resting during the day with molting birds.
Might want to increase their protein during the molt.

Yep, and I should have said that and for some reason I spaced it! Duh, Diane!