Why is my flock hiding?

[beebesknees]

I have a flock of 19 Dixie Rainbow chickens. They are just over 9 weeks old and have been free ranging for several weeks now but they always seem to hiding somewhere. I open the coop in the morning and they come out, greet me and walk around but as soon as I leave, they find a spot in the yard and go gather there. Usually under something or behind something. They stay there most of the day or move to another "hiding" spot and just chill. They don't forage much and when they do, the hug the barn or the house and run from the safety zones to their coop when they want to go there. I see neighbors chickens walking and foraging all through their yards but mine almost seem lazy. Anyway, is this normal for younger chicks or for this breed? I have read they are a very docile breed. Thanks!!

 

[Tre3hugger]

Sounds to me like they are a bit intimidated by the big bad world. They are learning to stay safe and testing what they are comfortable with. If a large bird (or plastic bag or w/e) flies voerhead my flock will scatter to cover and hide for a good while. Most things want to eat free range chickens. It seems like they are just being cautious. I don't think it's the breed causing this behavior. More likely their age and new surroundings.

Is their food in the coop? Maybe by the time you open the door they have already eaten, so do not have much desire to forage? Just trying to think of possibilities. I wouldn't sweat it much though as long as everyone is eatin and poopin.

ETA: Does the flock have a cockerel?

 

[aart]

Anyway, is this normal for younger chicks or for this breed?

Pretty normal for any breed that age.

 

[beebesknees]

Thank you! They are fully mature at 12 weeks so I thought they would be acting more "grown up" by now.

 

[beebesknees]

Sounds to me like they are a bit intimidated by the big bad world. They are learning to stay safe and testing what they are comfortable with. If a large bird (or plastic bag or w/e) flies voerhead my flock will scatter to cover and hide for a good while. Most things want to eat free range chickens. It seems like they are just being cautious. I don't think it's the breed causing this behavior. More likely their age and new surroundings.

Is their food in the coop? Maybe by the time you open the door they have already eaten, so do not have much desire to forage? Just trying to think of possibilities. I wouldn't sweat it much though as long as everyone is eatin and poopin.

ETA: Does the flock have a cockerel?

Their food is in the attached fly pen. They come out in the morning and eat and then head out for the day. They do go back to the pen/coop during the day but always running. They seem like they are unsure of the big bad world!
The flock does not have a cockerel that we know of. We are still hoping but I believe we got all hens.

 

[snood dude]

I have a flock of 19 Dixie Rainbow chickens. They are just over 9 weeks old and have been free ranging for several weeks now but they always seem to hiding somewhere. I open the coop in the morning and they come out, greet me and walk around but as soon as I leave, they find a spot in the yard and go gather there. Usually under something or behind something. They stay there most of the day or move to another "hiding" spot and just chill. They don't forage much and when they do, the hug the barn or the house and run from the safety zones to their coop when they want to go there. I see neighbors chickens walking and foraging all through their yards but mine almost seem lazy. Anyway, is this normal for younger chicks or for this breed? I have read they are a very docile breed. Thanks!!

I have chickens that do that it. I am guessing it is a young chicken thing.

 

[beebesknees]

I have chickens that do that it. I am guessing it is a young chicken thing.

Maybe. I thought it may be a dual purpose birds thing too since they grow so fast so quickly. They all seem healthy so I guess I won't worry.

 

[aart]

They are fully mature at 12 weeks so I thought they would be acting more "grown up" by now.

12 weeks is not 'fully mature'.
~26 weeks is sexually mature.
But not until 12 months would I say a a bird is fully mature, when pullets become hens.

 

[cmom]

One of my this years hatches. They think they're hiding.

 

[beebesknees]

12 weeks is not 'fully mature'.
~26 weeks is sexually mature.
But not until 12 months would I say a a bird is fully mature, when pullets become hens.

These are a fast growing hybrid. They are not your typical laying hen. They reach their full market weight at 12 weeks.

12 weeks is not 'fully mature'.
~26 weeks is sexually mature.
But not until 12 months would I say a a bird is fully mature, when pullets become hens.