I decided that my need for a new larger coop and blending my existing ladies with the new ladies should happen all at once. I figured no one owned the new coop so it would make for a single upset of the hens & pecking order.
So far very good, no major fluff ups. The older ladies are clearly at the top of the pecking order, but nothing wicked.
I did end up with one problem. One of my 2 year-old hens refuses to use the nest boxes. She lays in a corner and if I don't get it up right away other ladies lay on it. If I get it immediately or it is her off day, all her old flock mates all lay in the boxes. I keep a golf ball in one of the boxes hoping that she will remember what they are for.
Any suggestions on how to get Dolly back in the nest box?
So far very good, no major fluff ups. The older ladies are clearly at the top of the pecking order, but nothing wicked.
I did end up with one problem. One of my 2 year-old hens refuses to use the nest boxes. She lays in a corner and if I don't get it up right away other ladies lay on it. If I get it immediately or it is her off day, all her old flock mates all lay in the boxes. I keep a golf ball in one of the boxes hoping that she will remember what they are for.
Any suggestions on how to get Dolly back in the nest box?
