I have 1 chicken who is just over a year old (Nutmeg), she had 4 friends but they were killed by a dog. So I got 3 girls when they were chicks and introduced the 3 "babies" when they were about 7 or 8 weeks old. I put them in a cat carrier at night and during they day I let them out in the coop and put Nutmeg in the run. I did this for almost a week when I finally let them out of the carrier at night. I made sure to rush out first thing in the am to let them out and stay with them for the first few days, if I left I would lock one or the other(s) up in the coop or let the 3 out into the run and let Nutmeg free range. There was sBut things settled down and they all seem to be getting along. There was some chasing around and Nutmeg did go after them a few times. In the group of 3 one is a banty so she does get stepped on some (poor thing). When I started letting them all out to free range the 3 would stay together and Nutmeg would go on her way. Over the last 2 weeks they have been hanging out together. The 3 "babies" are about 14 or 15 weeks old now and have been going in to roost just fine until last week. Nutmeg would roost on one side of the coop and the others on the other side. No problems. Last week 2 of the babies wouldn't go into roost. They were roosting on the branches in the run, I had to put them in the coop. Then the next night all 3 wouldn't go in. Since then all 3 are not going in to roost. I noticed Nutmeg has changed sides where she is roosting, so I thought that might be causing a problem. Tonight when I went to lock up the coop the 3 were roosting outside in the run on a branch. So I picked them up and put them on the ramp to make them go in, they didn't want to. I opened the people door and watched. The 3 tried to roost and were making a ruckus and Nutmeg walked over and pecked at one of them. I acted like the rooster and gently grabbed Nutmegs tail, letting her know who was boss. She finally went to her side but kept making her mean cluck. When I closed the door it got dark in the coop so they quited down. I am at a loss as to what to do. The run has small guage rat wire so I feel pretty sure that run is secure enough that nothing can get them but I don't want to take a chance. I don't know what to do. Do I take Nutmeg in the house or put her in a cat carrier for a few nights so the 3 will go in and roost? ANY IDEAS????
