My rooster won't go in the coop

[StickInsect123]

Hi everyone, I have 4 chickens (3 hens and 1 rooster), they are 21 weeks old and I'm having a bit of trouble with my rooster. They live in a little coop and I let them roam around my back yard for a few hours everyday. They used to all go back into the coop when playtime was over for the day, but not any more. Now my rooster won't go into the coop, though my hens still do. I've tried food but apparently my rooster isn't interested in food any more, and no matter how much I try to round him up into the coop (with other people helping too) he just won't. I really don't know what to do, would love some suggestions! Thanks in advance!

 

[aart]

They live in a little coop and I let them roam around my back yard for a few hours everyday.

How "little" is the coop?
Might be getting tight on size.
Dimensions and pics would help here.

 

[StickInsect123]

How "little" is the coop?
Might be getting tight on size.
Dimensions and pics would help here.

It's a rooster roll, recommended for 6 chickens

 

[StickInsect123]

It's a rooster roll, recommended for 6 chickens

Here's a photo

 

[aart]

It's a rooster roll, recommended for 6 chickens

Here's a photo View attachment 4067201

Yeah, not big enough for 6.
I can understand why he doesn't want to go in there.

 

[Mrs. K]

Those are sold as holding 6 birds, but really should only be for 1-2 birds. When people start with chicks, this is more than enough room, but as they grow it becomes not enough space.

Often times very ugly behaviors will come out of over crowding like this. Things may get worse.

Mrs K

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi everyone, I have 4 chickens (3 hens and 1 rooster), they are 21 weeks old and I'm having a bit of trouble with my rooster.

At 5 months old they are still fairly immature and often do not act like mature chickens. I don't know of this has anything to do with it or not but when they are in puberty social interaction can get confusing.

They used to all go back into the coop when playtime was over for the day, but not any more.

Playtime. So this is the middle of the day, not going to roost at night. That's a different scenario so my standard suggestions don't apply.

Now my rooster won't go into the coop, though my hens still do.

My guess is that you want him in that coop for predator protection. I generally agree with the others on the size of that coop but I'm not convinced that is the main reason he doesn't want to go in there.

How do they act when outside roaming around? Do all four form a tightknit group or does he stay apart? How are they when all four are in that coop? Do one or more of the pullets beat him up? At that age, that can happen. To me, that behavior implies that he is scared of one or more of the girls.

I don't have any great suggestions. Do you have someplace predator safe you can put him separated from the girls until they all mature some more?

 

[StickInsect123]

At 5 months old they are still fairly immature and often do not act like mature chickens. I don't know of this has anything to do with it or not but when they are in puberty social interaction can get confusing.


Playtime. So this is the middle of the day, not going to roost at night. That's a different scenario so my standard suggestions don't apply.


My guess is that you want him in that coop for predator protection. I generally agree with the others on the size of that coop but I'm not convinced that is the main reason he doesn't want to go in there.

How do they act when outside roaming around? Do all four form a tightknit group or does he stay apart? How are they when all four are in that coop? Do one or more of the pullets beat him up? At that age, that can happen. To me, that behavior implies that he is scared of one or more of the girls.

I don't have any great suggestions. Do you have someplace predator safe you can put him separated from the girls until they all mature some more?

Hi! Sorry for the late reply! They all roam together, the rooster kind of follows all of the hens in turn, though sometimes he will stay far off from the girls. I haven't seen any of the pullets beating him up. The coop is predator proof, not sure if that makes any difference at all.... After a week or so now he sometimes goes into the coop by himself so I don't know.

 

[StickInsect123]

Those are sold as holding 6 birds, but really should only be for 1-2 birds. When people start with chicks, this is more than enough room, but as they grow it becomes not enough space.

Often times very ugly behaviors will come out of over crowding like this. Things may get worse.

Mrs K

Hi, sorry for the late reply, now the rooster will sometimes go into the coop by himself and seems a bit more willing, so I dont think that's the case for my flock. Thanks!