Fed up of pullets refusing to go in coop!

[Loving my girls]

I do have one I could have put in. I was watching them through the little air vent window. The older girls were giving the pullets a peck, nothing horrendous. The pullets were just all panicking flapping about. Then they’d settle. A older hen would move to drink for example and the pullets would act like a fox was attacking them! Wings and legs all over the place. Not enough room for them to keep well away from each other.

Okay, when you say peck do you mean a ‘move over shorty I was here first’ type peck or a ‘chainsaw massacre’ type peck ?

If it’s the first then I really wouldn’t worry. I’d shut them in at night and let them out n the morning. They will settle down in due course I believe.

If it’s the second I would phone Hannibal Lecter and ask his advice coz quite frankly I really don’t know what to recommend

 

[KyCoop]

Can you take the food and water out of the coop? Maybe resource guarding could be the hens problem.

 

[hellfire]

It has just been a normal peck, get out the way type. Nothing terrible.
Taking the food and water away isn’t an option when it’s so warm. Although it was obviously pointless giving it to them anyway as they just wanted an indoor swimming pool!!
It was getting warm in there too which is another reason I gave up. Plus the panicked pullets flapping and knocking the water over.
It’s just not ideal locking them in for 4/5 days. I feel really cruel.
I think it maybe best done when it’s cooler.
I’m going to have to lock them all in the brooder pen now for a few days while I go away.
I can’t expect my friend to chase feathered devils after dark for 3 nights!
I’d assumed they’d of been going in by now on their own!
So back to square one!!!
I found them perching in the storage/feed side last night. Crapping all over the handle of the feed bins and lawnmower. Seriously!!
So fed up.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Why is there water and food in the coop? Most recommend not doing that as it draws in mice and rats. Chickens don't eat or drink at night nor do they need it available.
The chickens are trainable, but they also will sense your frustration.

 

[hellfire]

Why is there water and food in the coop? Most recommend not doing that as it draws in mice and rats. Chickens don't eat or drink at night nor do they need it available.
The chickens are trainable, but they also will sense your frustration.

Please read previous posts.
I’d locked them in during the day also to get them used to the coop being home/roost. So they needed food and water to be locked in for a few days. It’s not my usual practice!
I’ve kept poultry 40 years. Never had to catch pullets for this long to get them used to the coop.
So if you have any other training ideas I’ve not tried yet please please let me know. I’ve literally ran out now.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I read all of your posts, but must have missed that. Good luck then because I'm out of ideas except creating a temporary run from fencing and not poultry netting. They definitely haven't learned that the coop is their home. Or maybe there's just not enough space for all in that coop?