Mother Hen Won’t Return to Coop- Help!

[brandimularski33]

Hello!!

I have a mother hen who hatched chicks 1.5 weeks ago in a shared coop. Presently, I am having difficulty with the sleeping arrangements.

My current set up is a coop attached to an enclosed run. During the day, the door is left open so they can free range. When they all return to the run at sunset I close the run and leave the hatch door open to the coop (during the warmer months)with a ramp. (The coop is about a foot off the ground)

Our mother hen stayed in the coop with the newly hatched chicks for the first day (I had water and food in there at all times). However, she came out of the coop one day with the chicks and has not returned. Instead, she sits in various spots around the coop at night (I suppose doing her best to stay out of drafts.

How can I encourage her to return to coop with her chicks? Could it be an intentional decision? Maybe ramp is too narrow? Should I leave her be and maybe when the chicks get older they will all naturally start going in the run and sleeping on the roosting poles with the rest of the flock? I am not afraid of predators as we have it secured at night but am concerned about weather and general health… any thoughts or experiences with this? Thanks!!

 

[DobieLover]

with a ramp

This is the problem.

she came out of the coop one day with the chicks and has not returned

The chicks cannot easily navigate a ramp.

Instead, she sits in various spots around the coop at night

She has chosen to brood them in a more spacious area.

doing her best to stay out of drafts

If it is not below freezing, this is not an issue for her.

Could it be an intentional decision?

Yes.

Maybe ramp is too narrow?

It's a ramp. Chicks have difficulty navigating ramps and she will have difficulty teaching them if any of the hens interfere.

Should I leave her

Yes.

Please post a picture of your setup. How many birds do you currently have?
Do you have space for all of the new pullets and what are your plans for the cockerels<