Can't get new chickens to go into coop at night with existing flock

[Daily Deposits]

I need some advise please. I have an existing flock of 4 and 2 new girls. The new girls are 17 weeks old and I've had them in a separate area of the run for about six weeks allowing my existing flock to get somewhat familiar with them. The new girls were roosting on a cinder block since they didn't like the dog kennel with roost I had set up for them. This weekend I removed the chicken wire to allow all the girls to be together. The new girls won't go into the coop at night like my existing flock does. I can't lock them in there for a week like I did with the existing flock since it is too hot and the existing flock needs to access the nest to lay. I've been going out at night and putting the new girls in the coop and on the roost because they don't know the coop in home. I am hoping there is a better way to get the new girls to return to the coop to roost at night without me rounding them up and doing it myself. They don't seem to like it and it stresses them out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SIMZ]

How long have you been putting them in? I'd think after a few days of that they'd figure out that is home. It's always stressful when putting new chickens in with an exciting flock, so you're correct that they probably don't like it. If you take away their cinder block, or they're old "roost" it will help them adjust quicker, too.

 

[iwiw60]

You may very well have to "put" them on the roost in the coop for a few more days...they'll "get it" eventually!!

 

[whittychick]

I agree, might take a few days. I know I had to keep putting then in for almost a week

 

[Daily Deposits]

Thanks for the feedback! The new girls are now going into the coop at night, but not jumping on the roost. I go out and put them on the roost. The new pecking order is still not established and I think the pecking they are enduring makes them a little timid to just hop up on the roost. The pecking isn't too bad though (no blood has been drawn and only a few feathers lost). I've noticed the existing flock will now sometimes allow the new girls to eat at the same time they do rather than chase them off until they are done. Little by little the girls are adjusting! Thanks again for your advise and help.

 

[whittychick]

Thanks for the feedback!  The new girls are now going into the coop at night, but not jumping on the roost.  I go out and put them on the roost.  The new pecking order is still not established and I think the pecking they are enduring makes them a little timid to just hop up on the roost.  The pecking isn't too bad though (no blood has been drawn and only a few feathers lost).  I've noticed the existing flock will now sometimes allow the new girls to eat at the same time they do rather than chase them off until they are done.  Little by little the girls are adjusting!  Thanks again for your advise and help.

Glad it's getting better! Sounds like they are figuring it out...as they always do! Good luck!