We have successfully integrated one 5 month old Golden Laced Wyandotte into our former group of three 10 month old hens. The pecking order has clearly been established, all four hens are getting along in terms of eating, drinking, playing, and movement around the run/coop areas. However, every night for the last 2-3 weeks I have had to go remove the new hen from an elevated limb in the run area and physically move her into the coop to roost with the other three. There is plenty of roost space inside the coop, they all sleep happily in there throughout the night but this new hen will not go into the coop on her own. At some point, will she go in on her own to roost? It is clear that every night she chooses to go to the limb out in the run rather than go inside. Also, when she reaches POL, the nest boxes are inside the coop as well and I want to be sure she knows those are in there and that is where she will lay. My concern is that when the weather turns cold, or if it rains heavily, she is just going to be out in the weather rather than going inside. Other than me putting her in there every night, does anyone have any suggestions for getting her to roost with the others inside the coop? How long should I continue the nightly routine of physically putting her in there? Any help would be appreciated.
