hens wont go inside

[slayed]

I just got my first chickens 6 laying hens and 5 teens. Im pretty sure one of the teens is a cockerel. Half are welsummer and the other half are wyandotte.

Anyways, I first built the chickens an outdoor run on the side of my shed. I gave them 4 big nest boxes. They all stayed here for about 3 days.

Then I doubled their space by cutting a hole in the shade so they could go inside. The teens all hang out inside but the hens wont go in. I put all the food and water inside, but still they wont go in.

Even when they were all outside they seperated by age. Layers together and the teens togetheron the opposite side of the pen.

Is this part of the pecking order? They roost on top of the nest boxes outside overnight instead of going inside.

 

[QueenMisha]

Birds who are raised together stick together. For example, I have around 80 birds in my main pen, and many have their own cliques. Certain birds who lived together for a while become bonded, and usually travel the run together. For example I have Jack's clique, Benny's clique, the Capon clique, the Tom Turkey clique, the Cornish Cross clique, the BB turkey clique etc. etc.

However, it is dangerous to allow your hens to roost outside, and eventually you will lose some to predators. It is also a bad habit to allow them to sleep on nesting boxes, although I'm not sure why your boxes are outside; ideally, they should be indoors.

Move them each night and they will eventually get the hint.

 

[slayed]

I have 2 boxes outside and two inside. They choose the outdoor ones. Ill try putting them all inside.

 

[slayed]

Its.as.if.my hens are members here on byc. As soon as I put this post up all the girls moved inside. Thanks for the insight.