New flock members left out of the coop at night

[TheChickenGirl0816]

Hello everyone!

I recently added two new ladies (Blanche and Margaret) to my existing flock of three (Helen, Mabel, and Gladys). When I first moved the new ladies outside, I kept them in the coop for week so they would know it was their home and to slowly incorporate them into the flock. The following week, I put the new ladies in a pen in the run, during the day and back in the coop at night. This weekend I've allowed all the ladies to have have access to each other and I haven't observed anything other than the expected pecking and chasing, but no bullying. The little ladies will come out and eat, but spend a lot of time the coop, except at night. I have an automatic door and both nights since the new ladies have had access to move around the coop and run, I find them huddled on the ramp by door, the older ladies inside. I put the little ladies in and they are all fine through the night. I've not noticed any injuries on the new birds. Any more suggestions for helping everyone get to bed at night? I'm going to do some observation tomorrow at dusk to see what's going on and would love some pointers from all of you.

Thank you!

 

[cavemanrich]

I have had similar situations to yours. Some of my hens would like to graze and scratch well into dusk. The door closes and the hens are locked out.
Just today, I had the same thing happen. This time around, my problem was with the automatic pop door. It closed early because it was cloudy and grim looking outside. 2 Chickens were still busy snacking around in run area, when the pop door closed. In my situation, I have a solution, since the door is in deep shade. I will install a remote eye sensor, that will have a clear view of the sky. (back, and top of my coop)
WISHING YOU BEST.......

 

[pennyJo1960]

I do use a automatic door BF goes out to open it I close at night
this allows me to see all are in

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC @TheChickenGirl0816 !
The roost is the last place integration happens.
Even a well integrated flock members 'fight' over roost space at dusk.
I call it the RoostTimeRumble.
Likely your older girls are not letting the new ones roost.
How big is your coop, in feet by feet?
How long is(are) your roost(s), in feet?
Pics would help.
You might consider disabling the 'automatic' on your pop door until the newbies have figured out their place in the roosting order.

 

[tigger19687]

Can you set the Auto door to close at a certain time ?
I can with mine, it opens 2 hours after sunrise but I have had no reason to play with it at night. Mine also automatically re-opens at night to let in stragglers.