Hen Will Not Sleep With Flock

[Brake4frogger]

Hey All,
Love the site, really informational.
I have a flock consisting of 2 Plymouth rock hens, 2 New Hampshire Red hens, and 2 Helmeted Guineafowl. My flock is normally let out during the day and allowed to free roam around my backyard. When dusk approaches or when night starts to fall, the flock resides back into their coop with no problem, with one exception.

For some reason one of my New Hampshire Reds will not follow the flock. Instead she roosts within a large pine tree i have in my yard. She roosts on top of a branch above my head and I have to grab her and put her in the coop.

I am afraid of predators and would like my hen in the coop at night with the flock. Has anyone experienced something similar to this behavior? How can i get my hen to follow the flock when its time for sleep?

Thanks all.

 

[Americana]

I let all of mine(75) freerange for a couple of hours every afternoon. They are in about 12 different coops. Most of them will come back in when I feed, or if it is starting to get dark, they put themselves up. Some I can herd with a long stick. A couple of stubborn ones I have to catch.

So I would try treats first, Most chickens will come running for those. Or you can try to herd her in when the others go.Try to do this before she goes in the tree. If she knows she's going to get a treat, I bet she'll go right in !

 

[fshinggrl]

Quote:
Sorry, off topic.. do your chickens go back into the same coops they came from?

To the OP: I would continue what you are doing and the one should 'get it.' Were they all raised together?

 

[Brake4frogger]

Thank you for the advice everyone,

Yes they were all raised together since they were chicks. Im going to try a combination of all of your ideas!

ill continue what i was doing but coax her in with some treats when the flock decides they want sleep. Thanks all. Anymore ideas are appreciated.