“The reason for that I haven’t a clue.”
It’s because of the trend and laws mandating pasture raising.
When they opened the cages to let the chickens on the pasture, as mandated, all the chickens crossed the road.
Interestingly enough, in several years of having free range chickens, and roads (one fairly busy) on 2 sides of the property, not one chicken has gone on the road and been hit. They get right up to the pavement, tho’.