Chickens staying inside all day!

[Sophia5]

Ever since I've got some new chickens (1 rooster & 3 hens) my other chickens (bantams and 2 hens) have been staying cooped up in their house only coming out for food and water.
It's really strange and they have been doing it for a long time.

Thanks very much!

 

[Kelsie2290]

That would make me wonder if the newcomers are picking on or otherwise have the old ones buffaloed. How long has it been going on. Have you watched their interactions at all? Do they free range or are they in a run? How many chickens and roosters are there total? Can't tell if you have 1 new rooster and 3 new hens and 2 old hens and some bantams, or if the old ones are two old bantam hens total. If there are only two old bantam hens, are you sure they are not broody?

 

[Sophia5]

Thanks for replying! You've got some good points. I don't exactly know how long it's been going for but I'm pretty sure I put them in the run in December last year and I was aware that the newcomers were picking on the old ones ( especially the bantams). I have a decent sized run for them and sometime let them out to wander around. We got 1 rooster and 3 laying hens as the newcomers and we have 1 Guinea-Fowl, 7 bantams (we've got a lot of bantams) and 3 laying hens. They used to spend their whole time outside before the new chickens came.
It's so strange! And they're definitely not broody because they're not showing any signs.
Thanks!