New hens introduced

[Jbank19]

I have 4 Rhode island reds 1 being a rooster and all 4 months old. I was given 4 other hens of different breeds all about a year old. Question is the 4 hens I was given wont go into the coop at all except for 1 that just goes in to lay and right back out. They even sleep on the perch in the run at night when my RiR rooster and hens go in to sleep. Is it because the rooster hasn't accepted them yet or ? It's been 5 days now. Any tips? Also 3 of the 4 new hens I was given stopped laying. Is it because of the change of their environment possibly? I've had chickens for a few years now but never introduced strange birds to a flock before.

 

[sloanbychoice]

First, the stop in egg laying:
Changing the environment at all, especially their whole location, will make them stop laying for quite a while. Chickens are sissies about change, and this can go on for weeks. They’ll start up again when they feel comfortable.

Second, not going into the coop:
I don’t know that one for sure, so hopefully someone who has more knowledge about behavior will chime in.
I do know that when you introduce new birds, they should always first be quarantined for around thirty days to be sure they’re not bringing in an illness or parasite.
Then when you get ready to introduce, they should be next to each other separated by fencing for a while first, to make sure they get used to each other without causing harm.

 

[sloanbychoice]

@aart do you know about the staying outside issue?

 

[aart]

@aart do you know about the staying outside issue?

I think you covered it.
Need to know how were they introduced.
....and the size of the coop and run.
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

 

[Wanderers tales]

I have 4 Rhode island reds 1 being a rooster and all 4 months old. I was given 4 other hens of different breeds all about a year old. Question is the 4 hens I was given wont go into the coop at all except for 1 that just goes in to lay and right back out. They even sleep on the perch in the run at night when my RiR rooster and hens go in to sleep. Is it because the rooster hasn't accepted them yet or ? It's been 5 days now. Any tips? Also 3 of the 4 new hens I was given stopped laying. Is it because of the change of their environment possibly? I've had chickens for a few years now but never introduced strange birds to a flock before.

It’s because the other hens are being too territorial. And since the new ones are more than 3 they won’t try to socialize with these older ones since it’s not worth being picked on when they have enough numbers to form their own flock. The rooster is probably not the problem. Unless the new hens have never seen a rooster and don’t want to approach one.