Peculiar chicken behavior? Or not?

[syfitz]

We have 8 RIR's that are nearly 2 years old (we've had them since they were about 7 weeks). They have a 6x8 coop with attached 10x10 covered run. They do have free reign over our large fenced backyard for much of the day usually. Anyway, I let them out into the yard a few days ago late in the morning. They always go back to the coop at dusk but I needed them to go back in early (around 4pm) that day so the dog could go out when we left home for a few hours. When I went out to lure them back to the coop they were already in there, perched. Weird. Next morning I looked outside and didn't see them in the run. They are always in the run at first light. I went out and they came out of the coop looking for a treat. I gave them a treat and they ate it and went right back in the coop. They stayed in the coop all day. Same for the last two days except I do see one or two once in while out getting a drink or eating a bit, but they go right back in the coop. They are eating less (no food or water in the coop), laying like normal (slow because of the season), but just don't want to be outside. The weather has been fine. It is beautiful and sunny today and they are all hanging out in the dang coop! Why?

[Chris10]

No advice on what would cause that, but it *is* weird.

[3lilbubs]

yeah that is weird. Something stalking them?

[igotmywings]

It really sounds like something is stalking them

[syfitz]

I thought the first day that maybe they all went in early because there was a hawk or something flying around. I can't think of what could possibly be stalking them now. We have a fenced yard in a subdivision, houses all around us. The run is covered. I don't want to lock them out of the coop if something is stalking them, but I hate the thought of them in the coop all day. So strange.

[syfitz]

They have decided to be outside today........in the rain. These birds make no sense.

[3lilbubs]

The sun offends their delicate senses.

[vjbakke]

My thought was the same as others, that something is after them, or they think something is. Keep an eye out if there is something watching them. We have days the girls don't want to come out, but then again there is over a ft of snow outside and it's cold. I have to use treats to get them out.

[3lilbubs]

Something I thought of today as I was fixing mine, is do you have any tarping over your run or coop? Mine tore loose with the storms and wind and the flapping was scaring the daylights out of my chickens!

[syfitz]

Originally Posted by 3lilbubs Something I thought of today as I was fixing mine, is do you have any tarping over your run or coop? Mine tore loose with the storms and wind and the flapping was scaring the daylights out of my chickens!

I do have a tarp over the run and I noticed recently that one corner is loose. I will fix that tomorrow. They have been outside quite a bit the last few days, but they are still in the coop much more than they ever used to be. Maybe that is scaring them.