New chickens left their coop moved into a coop left empty from other chickens

[BBB Becky]

I know the title is very long, but, my questions relate to what happened today. We gave away six golden comets that stopped laying. They all roosted in Coop No. 1. We bought six new hens (five weeks ago) that roosted in Coop No. 2. Suddenly tonight the new hens took residence in Coop No. 1. All of the hens switched to the coop that just became empty today.What happened?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Guess they liked Coop #1 better? Location? Or just trying it out? Chickens are funny

 

[Molpet]

Is coop #2 crowded

 

[BBB Becky]

No, coup 2 was their original coop. Today, I gave away six chickens from coop 1 and then all the chickens from coop 2 moved to coop 1.

The chickens we gave away stopped laying. I feel sad.

 

[ChickNanny13]

 

[CindyinSD]

The chickens we gave away stopped laying. I feel sad.

Maybe they feel like they got promoted to the big girls’ coop? Sorry about your other girls, though. Even if you haven’t made pets of them, you do get attached. How old are your other hens that you gave away?

 

[aart]

Odd, as they are creatures of habit...but there must be something vastly different between the coops.
Can you post pics of both coops?

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

How long were the new hens in coop 2 before they made the move and did they have access to it when the older hens were still in it? Idea of your set up would help, thanks.

 

[blackandtan]

Perhaps they wanted to go in there before but the older girls wouldn’t let them? Mine are creatures of habit too but sometimes will try to steal a “coveted” spot from someone else...no one really knows what goes on in a chickens’ mind!

 

[BBB Becky]

Maybe they feel like they got promoted to the big girls’ coop? Sorry about your other girls, though. Even if you haven’t made pets of them, you do get attached. How old are your other hens that you gave away?