Odd Chicken Out

[chickenmama5]

I have six chickens and five of them have decided they don't like one. She is the least aggressive so that makes her an easy target. She has stopped sleeping in the coop at night and is instead sleeping outside. Last night I put her in after everyone was in for the night but I don't if that is the right thing to do if they are going to be mean to her. I would like to make the five sleep outside and let her have the coop to herself!! I just would like some advice on what would be the best action to take.

 

[Perris]

I would continue to put her in after the rest have gone to roost; assuming it is dark in the coop they won't be able to see her well enough to do harm (probably), and when they wake in the morning they are usually fine together (that's how new birds are integrated).

 

[rosemarythyme]

How much space (sq ft) is in the coop? Is there just one roost bar or a couple? Photos would help.

 

[chickenmama5]

It is about 5 x 8 and has two roost. During the day they have about an acre to roam in.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hmm they won't even let her use the lower one? Or is she trying to use the upper?

One thing you could possibly try is to put a divider on the roost itself (cardboard, plywood, even a hung "curtain" made from feed bags) and see if they'll let her roost on one side of the divider while the others stay on the other side of it. Out of sight, out of mind...

 

[chickenmama5]

She either uses the lower roost or a nesting box but she won’t even go in the coop to lay eggs now. I can try the dividers.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I can try the dividers.

Might have to manually place her in "her section" of the divided area at first to show her she can use it, since she's used to staying outside now. Fingers crossed that it'll work, and that she can learn to put herself there after a few days...