So I introduced two new hens to our flock of 5. Things have been working themselves out. (Luckily) the pecking order is being worked out. The problem I am having is the new hens don't want to go into the coop at night. The will stay together on the roost in the pen. I have an automatic door that they could care less about. Any suggestions to get them to head in with the others before the door closes for the night? I should add that I have been putting them in at night for over a week. I am hoping for something to draw them inside
Try picking them up and placing them in the coop for a few nights. So they will learn they belong there.
How big is your coop and how much roost space do you have? You might need to install another roost at the same or slightly lower level for the newbies to use.
So my continued attempt to put the chickens in the coop at night has not proven successful. They use the roost, nesting boxes, etc. but they will not go in for the night. The fly up to the roost in the pen and stay there till I put them to bed. What reasons would they not want to be in there coop?
Hi - if they are selecting the roost in the run, make it unavailable to them in the late afternoon. They will opt to go into the coop and roost if that is the case. I have chickens that choose to roost in the run (it's very secure) rather than the coop. Others choose to go into the coop and roost. I don't care where they sleep as long as they are safe. Mine are safe, so, they get to pick where they will sleep.
