Is it normal for pullets to stay in the coop all day?

[Esrun]

We have 6 eight week old pullets and 3 adult bantam hens. They are fully integrated but the pullets stay in the coop all day. I started leaving the food and water in there because I was afraid they were not eating. The three adults def show their dominance but things have calmed way down. Is this normal?

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's not "normal" but as long as they can eat and drink it doesn't do them any harm to stay inside either, as long as it's not ridiculously hot in there.

How long has it been since you finished integration? Have you tried moving them out of the coop and if so, what happens?

Do/did you have multiple feeders in the run with clutter to provide hiding spots, so the chicks can eat without being chased by adults?

 

[Esrun]

It's not "normal" but as long as they can eat and drink it doesn't do them any harm to stay inside either, as long as it's not ridiculously hot in there.

How long has it been since you finished integration? Have you tried moving them out of the coop and if so, what happens?

Do/did you have multiple feeders in the run with clutter to provide hiding spots, so the chicks can eat without being chased by adults?

It’s been about 2 weeks. Maybe a little more. They have three waterers and two feeders (one for chick starter and one for the big girls). When I go in they come out. It’s a large coop with lots of ventilation. In fact I’m afraid it’s too big! I was so worried about the recommended size. They use very little of it I don’t have much “clutter” in there bc I wanted to preserve their run space. We are in the process of expanding the run. I suspect it will improve when we do that. When I open the run door they all come out. Coop is like 4.5x10 and the current run is like 12x10 but will have a 12x20ish extension soon (these are estimates bc I don’t remember exact numbers)

 

[rosemarythyme]

It’s been about 2 weeks. Maybe a little more. They have three waterers and two feeders (one for chick starter and one for the big girls). When I go in they come out.

When you go into the coop they come out?

It’s a large coop with lots of ventilation. In fact I’m afraid it’s too big! I was so worried about the recommended size. They use very little of it

Nearly impossible to have a coop that's "too big" - really the only time that would be an issue would be with very young chicks, where they could possibly wander away from food, water and heat, get lost, and expire.

Assuming your listed coop size is correct you are just slightly over the recommended minimum for standard size breeds, so I don't see any issue there.

I don’t have much “clutter” in there bc I wanted to preserve their run space.

It's important to have ample floor space but clutter provides hiding spots, breaks up line of sight to stop chases if they do start, and simply gives birds things to do.

 

[Tonyroo]

I'm guessing there in the integration process based on there behavior. As they get older they all should behave the same with the adults.

Having obstacles keeps them busy. Plus if you leave tree limbs or small plywood laying on the dirt, bugs will gather there for your chickens to forage on. Include some outdoor roost and dirt bath area for them. Makes for happy chickens.