chickens wont go in hen house at night.

[matthewmurphy77]

Hi, I have 11 chickens, 4 hens, 5 babies, and two pullets. At night all of my pullets wont go in the hen house. (Im pretty sure it is because the 4 hens pick on everyone including the pullets) both of the pullets sleep under the coop, and it usually gets pretty cold here so I need to know fast. thanks

 

[chooks4life]

I always made separate perches, so bullies can't walk along the length of any perch and attack others. I also cull all bullies, but generally once they're fat enough to eat. Bullying is a hereditary thing for the most part. To have a happy flock you need a zero tolerance policy or you will always be fighting the same BS over and over and over again, permanently, generation after generation. I personally don't have the time of life for that, lol!

But yeah, to address your issue now, perches that are separate and not able to be easily crossed to and fro upon would help.

Also perhaps separating the worst bullies for a few days and reintroducing them once they've fallen down the social ladder by virtue of their absence, so they focus on each other instead of their usual victims, often helps.

I'd sprinkle treats far and wide on the cage floor at dusk so they all go in and get them used to it. Don't let any one bird be able to hog a whole pile of food at any point.

Best wishes.