5 new pullets in the coop with existing 4 hens...

[CandJHens]

We have managed what I thought would be the hardest part of introducing the new birds. We have a large run area with a smallish coop for roosting at night. I don't lock the girls up at night in the summer. The coop has plenty of room for all nine birds, but the new girls do not go into the coop at night...or when it is raining...hard like it is today. Should I worry about this or just let them continue to sort it out?

 

[Judy]

They are probably being prevented from going in. The older flock might be trying to keep the new ones away from food and water as well. I would probably lock the older ones out of the coop and place the new ones in until they will all go in together. I would also provide 2 separate food and water stations.

 

[CandJHens]

Thanks for the answer. I have watched the pullets go in and eat and drink. It's just they don't like to hang out. I am thinking about taking the older birds to our smaller more temporary coop. They all free range on the weekends when I'm home so they would only be in there at night. Then I can look the young ones in the bigger coop for the night without worrying they are being bullied.