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The hens haven't wanted to come out of the coop the last two days, they are perching, rather than in nests and broody and I can't see anything in the run that would be scaring them, I've got them out to eat and drink and they look and seem fine, they pootle about a bit...and then go in again. The only thing I could think of was the weather- it was hot yesterday and then thundery today? Any advice/ideas appreciated.

Are they in a run or free to roam about?

They are in a large, covered run.

Our hens get a little sluggish in weather like this. When we have grass to mow I usually bag up some grass each day and throw it into the run for them--they love that. Also I have a couple of old scratched up roasting pans in there that I refill with cold well water a couple of times each afternoon and they like to stand in it when it's really unbearably hot. I don't guess they know what roasting pans are for,....

Thanks both of you- helpful and reassuring, I think you're right a combi of tiredness and the weird weather, will try grasss clippings and cool water too.

here in New Zealand we have large aggressive birds like magpies that are known to harass chooks at times. To the point that they will not leave their pen. do you perhaps have something similar? Rooks maybe?