Getting new hens to roost

[old mama hen]

We've had chickens for 30+ years, but run into a new problem. We have 19 Black Australorp that are 18 weeks old. About 3 weeks ago we introduced to our main coop with 3 hens and 1 rooster. They get along fine and finally got the new ones to go in the chicken house at night. After about 10 days of closing the door at night they got to where they will go in the chicken house on their own and stay without shutting the door. Our problem is they gather on the floor of the chicken house in a corner. I've tried putting them on the roost, but they head right back to the floor. They want nothing to do with the walkway to the roost or the roost. Since the nesting boxes are by the roosts I need to get them used to going to the higher level. Never had this happen before. Any suggestions?

 

[Mrs. K]

Time... once they start to lay, they will have a shift in confidence. Right now, I would expect you have the old flock, and a sub flock. One day soon, you will go down, find pullet eggs and the sub flock will be gone. They will be one flock and will roost together.

 

[old mama hen]

Thank you so much. Guess I was being a bit over anxious.

 

[Mrs. K]

No, that is what this is for. We look, we worry, and here people really understand. (Whereas a lot of the people around us, just think we are crazy!)

 

[Loving my girls]

I totally agree, some girls take longer than others and, like sheep, one says ‘hide’ so they all huddle together cozy like.

(Did I really say sheep ?)

 

[old mama hen]

No, that is what this is for. We look, we worry, and here people really understand. (Whereas a lot of the people around us, just think we are crazy!)

That they do. I get “Why do you mess with chickens. BTW do you have any eggs?”