Hens who won't roost in the coop...how to fix them

[Roo Boy]

We rescued a few hens that someone dumped. They are very healthy and they flock with our other birds, but at nighttime they roost in trees above our coop. They will not go in with the others. They are very skittish and hard to capture. Any thoughts?

 

[kaybats]

do you feed free choice or at certain times...

what i do is not offer feed during the day. then when it's near bedtime, they all come running and follow me into the coop when they see me going for the feed. it 'usually' works, but occasionally, you'll still have a stubborn one or two.

hope this helps...good luck.

 

[Roo Boy]

do you feed free choice or at certain times...

what i do is not offer feed during the day. then when it's near bedtime, they all come running and follow me into the coop when they see me going for the feed. it 'usually' works, but occasionally, you'll still have a stubborn one or two.

hope this helps...good luck.

They free range, but I do offer feed during the day too. I might try your idea.

 

[Bullitt]

Are the new hens laying eggs in the coop?

If not, you might try keeping your flocked locked in the coop for a few days so the new hens learn to lay eggs in the coop and roost in the coop.

 

[Roo Boy]

Are the new hens laying eggs in the coop?

If not, you might try keeping your flocked locked in the coop for a few days so the new hens learn to lay eggs in the coop and roost in the coop.

They are not laying yet. They were locked up for a while when we had a lot of snow last week.