New pullet not fitting in :-(

[mysheezab]

Hello! I am in need of some advice. I have 3 Plymouth Rock hens that have been raised together since birth (sept 2012) I just added a new Americauna pullet. I introduced them slowly. I kept my new chicken in a dog pen in the run for 1 month. I released her into the group about 2 weeks ago and my other girls beat up on her but that was expected. The issue I've been having is they will not let her in the coop (or she will not go in) at night. So I've been putting her in the coop at night. I pick her up and place her in the coop. Should I be doing this? Right now she is using the trash can I keep their food in to sleep on.. Does anyone have advice? I'd hate for her to begin laying eggs out of the nesting box and risk the, breaking. I need your help please thanks everyone!

 

[Whittni]

Well the other chickens you have are older and usually the older birds have a pecking order, when that chain is broken with a new chicken, all of the older hens are afraid of the pecking order being broken and loosing a chance to eat, sleep on the roost and even that their eggs will be eaten. So your new little pullet just stressed your older hens out. You did the right thing with the dog cage and the rest should be settled out all on its own. I'd keep putting her in the coop though, until she's big enough to stand up for herself.