need adivice my pullets wont go in the hen house

[jmo]

i have three hens about 3 years old that love there hen house. They play in the fenced in pen during the day and tuck themselves in at night. Here's the issue i have 9 spring chicks that have shared the pen for a while now. When we first put out the little girls with the big girls the big girls wouldnt let the little one in the house. Everyone gets along fine now except the little girls wont go in the pen at night, They stay in the fenced in area a huddled together in the corner. Last night i lost one to a preditor that attacked from outside the fence. Please help. Problem is fenced in area is to short for me to crawl in and catch them to put in the hen house. Any suggestions?

 

[gritsar]

Is the coop big enough for you to get into? Can you draw them into the coop with treats maybe?
Once in, lock everybody up inside for a couple of days. That should train them. Do this after making sure the big girls aren't picking on the little ones at night, which may be why they don't want to go in.

 

[jmo]

thank you for the advice. The big girs dont pick on them anymore but the did the first couple of day and scared them for good. I tried getting them in tonight with treats but they were already sleeping and not interested. Tomorrow i'll try earlier in the evening. when i find a way to get them in i will lock them in for a few days as you suggested.

 

[gritsar]

Yep, sometimes you just have to re-train their little brains. Hope you don't have any trouble with predators tonight. Good luck to you and welcome to BYC!