old hens won't let new chicks in coop?

[ajones225]

A year ago, we got three hens....then around March, we got 3 chicks. We built a bigger coop to accommodate all around the same time, so while the chicks were kept in a small cage inside/on the patio, the hens were moved into the bigger coop. Once the chicks were feathered and a little bigger, we moved them into the old coop that has an enclosed run, amidst the free range area of the hens. Everyone could scope each other out and get used to each other. A few weeks ago, we decided to let the chicks free range too, and there were some small confrontations, but the two groups kept to themselves and everything got sorted out. Now we closed off the smaller coop so that everyone can just hang out in the big one at night, but it isn't working out yet. One of the chicks ended up being a roo so it is no longer with us (no roosters allowed where we live....no chickens either, but roosters definitely would cross the line). The chicks are free to go in and out of the coop during the day (food is inside), but at night, they sleep on top apparently. And the hen in charge appears to guard the door. Before they slept on top of the old coop and I would move them in at dusk, but the big coop is 7-8 feet tall at the peak so I can't get them down. Just really seems like a safety issue for them to be out like that at night....we don't have a whole lot of predators, but there are predatory birds, cats, raccoons....should I be worried? Will the hens ever let the chicks in? They don't fight during the day or anything.

 

[GoluskaFarm]

Did you ever get a solution to this? We are currently going through the exact same problem.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Did you ever get a solution to this? We are currently going through the exact same problem.

I know this is a old thread but I will reply to you. I did too and this is probably not what you want to hear---I quit trying to mix them. If I was going to try I would wait till they got to adult size so they can protect themselves, but I do not do that either. At their young age---its Kinda like allowing a preschoolers to play football of a pro-team---the young ones are going to get hurt. I always had at least 2 pens. Good Luck

 

[Feathersareflying]

I have a momma hen and her brood in a separate coop and pen. I ended up putting a severely picked on hen in with them. They have done just fine for several weeks. Momma hen has gone broody again and now “auntie” doesn’t let them in the coop at night. The funny thing is that she also stays out with them. As if she’s giving momma time to be alone with the eggs.