Chickens guarding coop

[chickenrescuer]

Lately, my new chickens have been guarding the coop. They aren't broody it just seems like the older flock won't go into the coop anymore. Their egg laying has decreased because of this. Any suggestions?

 

[islandgirl82]

Lately, my new chickens have been guarding the coop. They aren't broody it just seems like the older flock won't go into the coop anymore. Their egg laying has decreased because of this. Any suggestions?

I sometimes have the same problem, only it's my older girls laying right in the doorway to stop the younger girls from going in. I notice an increase in this behavior when they haven't been out to peck around the yard for a day or two but letting them out of the run for a bit is kind of like hitting the reset button. There are times when I'm not able to let them out though, in which case I remove whichever hen is blocking the doorway and if she tries to settle back in there then I'll put her in time out (a smaller run) for a little while.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

I also have hens who block the doorways. There is nothing really you can do to prevent this other than adding other doors or making the door bigger.

Good luck!

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!

Good luck with your chicken-guarding problems!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

You need to go out at dark and get them all in. Sometimes you will have older hens that guard the doorways. But it is up to you to make sure everybody gets into the coop at roosting time. Do a head count to make sure they are all inside. Any bird sleeping outside is subject to predator attack and will draw these predators back each night looking for more food. So get them all in yourself.

Good luck and welcome to our flock!

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

We're glad to have you.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X3, more doors help, also if they are sitting on the ramp or the entrance they sometimes seem to do that because it is a comfortable place to be and look around from, you might try putting other things in the run for them to perch/rest on.

 

[drumstick diva]

Have the older birds been bothering the younger ones, pecking or bullying them? If so that may be why the young ones stay inside the coop. They are afraid of the oldies. Try to shoo the new ones out of the coop and barricade the door so they can't get back inside.

Then lurk somewhere out of their sight and observe what goes on. If one or more older hens is bothering them - put them in a crate for a couple of days and see if things straighten out. You may need to put out more feed and water bowls so the new ones aren't kept away from them.

If all goes well maybe you just need to put the young ones out till they get comfortable with doing it on their own. How young are he new birds? Are they afraid to use a ramp(if needed) to get into the coop?