Keeping your chickens safe all the time is essential for your fowls’ peace of mind and well-being.
After all, they are one of the easiest preys out there for any wild animal.
For example hawks are one of them – Check out my article When do hawks hunt chickens?
Still, it is inevitable not to keep your chickens locked in the coop, since they also need some extra activities and outside experiences to give them a happy living.
But, have you ever experienced seeing your chickens refusing to leave their shelter almost all the time?
So you might be wondering – Why are my chickens afraid to leave the coop?
Chickens might be afraid to leave their coop for various possible reasons.
Your fowls may refuse to leave their shelter if there is something uncomfortable in their surroundings.
This typically includes predator attack, unfamiliarity with their environment, a threat, or sometimes because they are feeling ill, weak, and vulnerable to go outside.
Nonetheless, it is important to address these problems, or else you will risk putting your chicken into a stressful and unhealthy condition.
Here’s what you’re going to discover in this article
- Is it normal for chickens to stay in their coop all day?
- What times do chickens need to be let out of their coop?
- How to make your chickens less scared
- Should a chicken coop be closed at night?
- How do chickens know to go back in the coop?
Lots of interesting topics to cover so make sure you grab yourself a cup of coffee and carry on reading!
Let’s get started!
Is It Normal For Chickens To Stay In Their Coop All Day?
It is normal for chickens to stay inside their coop, especially if it will keep them safe and protected from accidents.
After all, your fowls would prefer to remain in their coop under a bad weather or threatening predator attack.
There’s nothing seriously concerning at all if your chicken stays inside all day every once in a while.
If your chickens have everything they need in their coop such as enough space, water, food, and other things, then it is fine.
Still, this is not highly advised and encouraged by many keepers.
One of the needs of your fowls is to roam around in your area.
It is good for their overall well-being and it will allow them to get access to sunlight, forage for bugs, and become physically active.
If your chickens almost everyday refuse to leave their shelter, it is likely that some factors are causing them to behave in that way.
What Time Do Chickens Need To Be Let Out Of Coop?
It is known for a fact that chickens wake up so early to start their day.
If you are a keeper, it is best to let your chickens out in the area as early as dawn.
A rule of thumb for many is about no more than an hour after sunrise.
Some owners free their chicken between 4am to 7am in the morning, depending on the location and the season.
Of course, this will likely change a little eventually.
But, generally, letting out your chickens in the morning will give them the best experience.
This will also help them gain several benefits, such as sufficient sunlight, more outdoor activities and exploration, and it will also help them ease their boredom.
Check out my article – Do chickens sleep during the day?
How Do I Make My Chickens Less Scared?
The most possible reason why your chickens are scared, even to the extent of affecting their daily routines, is because of the danger of predator attacks.
Having a good predator attack management would keep your fowls feel safe and protected always.
With that being said, know what could be the lurking predators in your area.
This can be foxes, raccoons, snakes, and predatory birds like hawks.
This will help you know what could be the precautionary measures to take to keep your chickens safe.
Install quality fences around the coop and your entire field.
This will keep the predators away, while keeping your chickens protected as well.
Try to cover their coop and make sure there will be no openings for any predators, like foxes, raccoons, and hawks.
Giving them an ample amount of sense of security would help your chicken feel at ease and less scared.
Should a Chicken Coop Be Closed At Night?
Certainly, yes.
The doors of your chicken coop must be shut at night.
Keeping your chickens tightly secured in their coop would make them feel unafraid, protected, and it would keep them safe during the night.
Remember that chickens are more likely blind or have poor vision in the dark.
If they know that their doors are open, they will certainly feel wary about predator attacks.
Closing your chicken coop will also become an additional protective layer for your fowls.
How Do Chickens Know To Go Back In The Coop?
When it is time to go home, chickens will go home.
Chickens will know it instinctively when they already need to go back in the coop.
Though there might be time where you will have to step up to call them, it will not be too much trouble on your part.
Chickens have different personalities; some may require little to no effort at all, while there are fowls that need to have extra patience and effort.
Still, your fowls would instinctively go home when they are already beginning to see and sense the nightfall.
After all, they know themselves that it is dangerous to stay outside when it is already dark.
They would rather stay inside their coop where there will be plenty of protection and warmth.
Your chickens will also love to go back to their home on their own after a long, tiring day.
Wrapping Up
Chickens might be afraid to leave their coop if there is a lurking predator in their area.
It is extremely important, as their keeper, to keep them safe all the time.
You can install additional protective defenses in the area and around their coop to protect your fowls.
While it may be normal for your chickens to stay inside their home all day every once in a while, it is seriously encouraged to let your fowls roam in your area everyday, especially at sunrise.
This is to keep them healthy and promote a happy living.
