Roosters and hens in the same coop

[BeckyOB]

Hi. So, I'm wondering if anyone else has this issue. Or maybe I'm thinking this is the issue and it's not. I have hens and roosters. They're all exactly the same age, raised together. They're 20 weeks old. They've been in their outside coop for nearly 2 months now. I had a stretch of 3-4 nights where they all went inside the coop...I went out, closed the door, awesome! Then, for weeks now I've had to escort and carry at least a couple most the time 3-4 in the coop every single night. I wait until around 8:20pm... Getting dark and I know they can't see me well if at all... Why will they not just go in by themselves? I wonder if the hens are avoiding the roosters... My roosters get quite frisky in the evening. If they're in the coop they know they can't get away... But if they are out, they have a chance. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

I think you figured it out!

 

[Sonya9]

What is the ratio of hens to roosters?

 

[RebeccaRN]

I have 8, 6 hens and 2 roosters all 21 weeks old raised together since 3 days old. They all sleep together in their house at night without problem but there really isn't enough room in there to mess around, just sleep.

 

[aart]

Why will they not just go in by themselves?

How big is your coop, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would really help here.
How many cockerels and how many pullets?
Are the pullets laying yet?
Which birds are not going inside, is it the same ones every night?


FYI-PSA.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You don't have hens and roosters, you have pullets and cockerels. They are still immature, they are going to behave differently than mature chickens. That could be part of your problem. The boys' hormones are probably acting up. The girls are going through puberty also. There may be some changes going on on their side of the pecking order too. Adolescence can be a rough time.

I think the size and layout of your coop might be a big factor here. When I've seen this behavior before it generally means they are getting beat up when they try to roost so they look for a safer place. My coop is pretty big with different places to sleep so it's usually within the coop but occasionally some try to stay outside. With mine it's the older hens causing the problems with younger birds so some differences with your situation.

How big is your coop and how is it arranged inside, especially the roosts. Can they get away from bullies on the roosts? Where can they sleep inside if they are not allowed on the roosts?

I think your problem probably is the boys. It's possible that one or both cockerels are waiting to mate with the pullets as they enter. Once they make it to the roosts (depending some on what your roots look like) they might be safe from the boys but they can't get that far so they avoid going in. If this is the problem removing one or both of the boys may be a solution. Removing doesn't have to mean killing, selling, or giving away. Housing them separately so they are not part of the equation can tell you if it is a possible solution. You will still probably have to keep putting those pullets in after dark for a few nights so they learn they can go inside.

I don't know for sure what is going on. Age/maturity may be a factor, size and layout of the coop may be a strong contributor. If your coop is big enough adding a separate roost might help. Removing one or both of the boys until they grow up may give you some insights as to the problem. Other than looking at those the only suggestion I can make is to consistently put them in the coop after dark in the hope they get the message.

 

[BeckyOB]

What is the ratio of hens to roosters?

I know my ratio is not good and I do have a home lined up for one Cockerel...I only have 4 hens and 3 Cockerel... They've not had many issues except boys get kind of crazy toward sundown. But yes, I know this ratio rarely if ever works... I'm working on it.

 

[BeckyOB]

How big is your coop, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would really help here.
How many cockerels and how many pullets?
Are the pullets laying yet?
Which birds are not going inside, is it the same ones every night?


FYI-PSA.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.

I posted age, they're 20 weeks. All exact same age. All raised together since the beginning. There are 3 Cockerels... Only 4 pullets. Only 1 laying so far. It's a mix of many breeds and standard and bantam. The coop is very small. I'm hoping to build my own large one very soon. They free range all day. Only sleep in the coop. 1 Cockerel goes in by himself every night... Roosts same spot ever night! Our main Cockerel tries to get everyone inside it seems as he goes in and out seeming to tell them it's time for bed. For the most part, all 4 girls stay out and 1 Cockerel until I pick them up and put them inside.

 

[BeckyOB]

You don't have hens and roosters, you have pullets and cockerels. They are still immature, they are going to behave differently than mature chickens. That could be part of your problem. The boys' hormones are probably acting up. The girls are going through puberty also. There may be some changes going on on their side of the pecking order too. Adolescence can be a rough time.

I think the size and layout of your coop might be a big factor here. When I've seen this behavior before it generally means they are getting beat up when they try to roost so they look for a safer place. My coop is pretty big with different places to sleep so it's usually within the coop but occasionally some try to stay outside. With mine it's the older hens causing the problems with younger birds so some differences with your situation.

How big is your coop and how is it arranged inside, especially the roosts. Can they get away from bullies on the roosts? Where can they sleep inside if they are not allowed on the roosts?

I think your problem probably is the boys. It's possible that one or both cockerels are waiting to mate with the pullets as they enter. Once they make it to the roosts (depending some on what your roots look like) they might be safe from the boys but they can't get that far so they avoid going in. If this is the problem removing one or both of the boys may be a solution. Removing doesn't have to mean killing, selling, or giving away. Housing them separately so they are not part of the equation can tell you if it is a possible solution. You will still probably have to keep putting those pullets in after dark for a few nights so they learn they can go inside.

I don't know for sure what is going on. Age/maturity may be a factor, size and layout of the coop may be a strong contributor. If your coop is big enough adding a separate roost might help. Removing one or both of the boys until they grow up may give you some insights as to the problem. Other than looking at those the only suggestion I can make is to consistently put them in the coop after dark in the hope they get the message.

Yes I believe you're right on with nearly everything. Our coop is too small in my opinion. We do have bantams and standard. All Cockerel are bantams. One pullet is a bantam. 3 pullets standard. Yes, even as I put them in by hand, 1& sometimes 2 cockerels are waiting. My 1 Cockerel is so good... Goes to roost by himself every night doesn't come out to surprise the girls like the other boys. I'll post a pic of coop. I will say though, that they literally only sleep in it. They free range all day.

 

[Sonya9]

Yes I believe you're right on with nearly everything. Our coop is too small in my opinion. We do have bantams and standard. All Cockerel are bantams. One pullet is a bantam. 3 pullets standard. Yes, even as I put them in by hand, 1& sometimes 2 cockerels are waiting. My 1 Cockerel is so good... Goes to roost by himself every night doesn't come out to surprise the girls like the other boys. I'll post a pic of coop. I will say though, that they literally only sleep in it. They free range all day.View attachment 2293845

That does look very tiny. If you can't build a larger coop from scratch maybe you could vamp that to enclose the whole thing.