Hens will not come out of coop

[Kaitie09]

So over the summer, we got rid of our most of our old flock (17 hens, 6 roosters) and only kept 5 original hens and 1 rooster. We then went and built a 8x16 customized shed and separated it into a storage area, goat pen, and a coop with a 8x16x10 run (added a little outdoor playground and everything). We went and bought 12 new chicks (thank god they turned out to be all hens!) and put them in the new coop alone. They grew up there and when they were 6 months old, we tore down our old coop and transferred our originals. Well, now the originals first took over the run and the babies stayed in the coop, we thought they would go out eventually but they never did. The babies are almost 8 months old now and still will not go outside on their own. We kick them out and shut the door so they can't come in, and there are no problems with the originals. There is no territorial fighting or bullying outside, but as soon as that door opens back up, the babies bolt right back inside. Any suggestions on how to make them go out more?

We have tried putting treat blocks, corn, and all sorts of goodies to lure them outside, but they won't budge.

 

[jenesis536]

No ideas from me unless you try separating them again and seeing what happens, but I would love to see pics of your set up! Sounds great!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I looked at your other posts, to see if you had any pictures of your set-up. I saw a post from December that said some of your chickens were getting bullied in the run. Were these the chickens that got bullied by the other chickens? Are you sure there isn't still bullying going on in the flock? Maybe they are still afraid of the other chickens.

 

[Kaitie09]

This is the same post, but the bullying has stopped. When we push them out, they all do fine. No fighting or even pecking at each other anymore. The rooster was the main problem, but when he calmed down and took over the "protector" role with the babies, the hens calmed down as well. They also do fine in the coop. Its just that the babies will not go outside.

 

[oconnorfamily25]

is it possible that there is a predator lurking about that the originals aren't afraid of or have no knowledge of? do you have any dogs or cats? they could scare the babies

 

[newlyweds]

Sounds to me like they are still scared and/or getting bullied maybe your just not witnesses it. I would leave it open so they are able to get away when needed. I would think by 8 months they are the same size as the originals and should do just fine. Best of luck trying to find a solution.

 

[Kaitie09]

We do have cats that are outside, but the coop is on the far side of the property and the cats tend to stay away from them. Their closest neighbors are the goats, and the babies have actually "free ranged" in the goat pen when they found a whole one day. Every once is a while, I will peak out the window and see maybe on of the babies out with the other ones. They seem to go out for about 2 minutes, then walk right back on in. The originals are out all day, and when a baby does stray, they really don't pay attention to it. The door is open 24/7, but we kick them out and shut the door when we clean the coop.

 

[oconnorfamily25]

That's really strange. Sorry that I have no other possible explanations. Good luck with your problem!

 

[newlyweds]

Seems like you are doing all you can do. Just keep encouraging them out, and eventually hopefully they will range just like the older chickens.

 

[mrsp523]

Kaitie where are you from? What state? Just wondering if its weather related.