Introducing new hens

[PinkchickenWhisperer]

I raised 5 new chicks this spring and for the past 2 months they have been right through the fence from the 4 established hens. I removed the dividing fencing to integrate them in and have discovered that the new hens won't go into the coop at night. The must be going in during the day to eat and drink. It's probably OK for now but when winter comes they won't like it. Is there anything I can do to encourage them. Last night I physically put each one in the coop and shut it down for the night. I don't usually have to do this in the summer.

 

[Judy]

I would guess this is a pecking order thing, that the old hens are giving the new ones a hard time on the roost or in the coop, especially if the new ones are still smaller than the old ones. They may not have learned to go inside at night yet. In the summer, it also may have to do with the temperature, as coops will be warmer than the outdoors unless they are very well ventilated. The only thing I know of is bribing them to go in, or what you did, just place them inside. It may be they will go in on their own after a few nights of physically placing them inside.

 

[RWise]

Last night I physically put each one in the coop and shut it down for the night.

Keep doing this, may take a few days but they will learn where to go. Also with the warmer weather some of my birds want to stay just outside the coop, no can do we owls and hawks. When they do this I wait until after dark and place them inside. Watch the pecking order so it doesn't get out of line (no damage) I will remove overly aggressive birds from the flock, hen or roo. I have very gentle birds and have very few issues adding/moving a hen or pullet.