Loner Chicken and changing to a new coop

[CamsChickens]

Hi everyone, I am new to this site and figured that I would try and get some help since I am very new to the world of chickens! Back in September I got some barred rock and golden laced wyandotte chicks, they have gotten huge and are so much fun! I have two questions that I was hoping I could get some advice on ....

First, I just built the girls a new coop. This one is quite an upgrade from their current one and I am hoping that they like it. Is there anything that I need to do to transition them into the new coop? I don't see them being clever enough to just walk right in and make this one home. Should I leave them in it for a few days till they figure it out? I pretty much just let them wander my property and only leave them locked up in the coop and run if I am out of town and have a pet sitter.

Second, I have noticed that out of my 6 hens, one is always left out and alone! I feel really bad for her! I can tell who is at the top of the pecking order, but other than that, I haven't noticed any bullying at all. This hen rarely leaves the run and is never hanging out with the others. I have been thinking of getting some more chicks in the next month or so, should I do this and hope that she finds some friends or is it normal for a chicken to be more timid and a loner?? Could something be wrong?

Thanks for any input, I really appreciate it!

 

[muddler6]

I have a hen who is a loner too. She goes and hangs out with the other sometimes, but not too often. You can put the chickens in the new coop, give them treats and feed in there, then move the feed outside, they will adapt quickly. I have moved mine from tractors to the main coop this way. I have an enclosed run on the main coop. I normally wait 3 or 4 days before letting them range, but after that they know where home is.

 

[gritsar]

I would suggest they be locked in their new coop for a couple days, maybe a week until they get the idea that the new coop is home.

I have a loner chicken. She's not really picked on by the others, so I let her do her own thing. Whenever I have to leave the chickens locked in the coop for any length of time Lilith lives on the front porch. I just won't force her to be with a bunch of bird brains that she doesn't like.

Welcome to BYC!

 

[CamsChickens]

Thanks for the help! I will be moving them into their new coop this weekend!