Trouble getting hens back in the coop

[dankope]

We have 2 hens we raised from chicks and 2 new hens we got about a month ago from friends. We have left them in the coop for about a month to get everyone acclimated and understanding where home is. The 4 girls get along great together, and figured after a month I can start letting them all free range again. Today we let them out late morning after they were done laying, but now we cannot seem to get them back into the coop. We tried to round them up around 4 pm but the 2 new ones were reluctant to go back. Our rooster is great with them, but it seems he tries to keep them away from the coop and at dusk he led them up into the trees for the night.

I removed the food and water form the coop and left the doors open (if i do not the wild birds will take over and I fear for disease). My hope is they will return to in the morning to use the nesting boxes. If not, I am not sure what to do. I really want to keep them free range, but the eggs are my #1 goal.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. I will update what happens in the morning.

Dan

 

[cavemanrich]

Unusual for chicks not to return into coop. Some questions... Is this first time out? Did they walk out on their own? How far is free range allow them to roam at present from coop? Are these bantams that love trees? Is rooster trying to violate the hens and they are running away?

 

[dankope]

First time out for the 2 new hens. They did walk out on their own. They have about a 1/2 acre orchard they can roam, but they tend to stay close to the coop. The new hens are Arucauna's and do like the trees. Rooster is being amorous with the new hens (not the original 2 because they are siblings). No running away, the hens seem to like the rooster. he is proudly guarding them and leading them to feed.

I am beginning to think the 2 new hens are more wild and not used to coop setting. I can get my original 2 back in the coop much easier (lure in with worms), but the 2 new ones do not want to go back in.

 

[aart]

Try not letting them out until just an hour or so before roost time, that might help.

A rooster will mate anything he wants regardless of familial connections, unless they are broody or not laying.
Are the 2 siblings laying?
Rooster can have favorites tho and ignore others for who know's why.

 

[dankope]

All 4 hens are laying, but the roosters don't seem interested in their siblings.

 

[cavemanrich]

MAYBE THE ROOSTERS ARE TYPE 3 AND ONLY INTERESTED IN EACH OTHER. LMAO

 

[dankope]

Roosters are loving the 2 new ladies, so that is not the problem Last few days the girls are not sleeping in the coop, but in the tree above the coop with the roosters. They are going back in the coop in the morning and laying in the nesting boxes as per usual. So I guess its all good after all. As long as they are safe and I am getting eggs...

 

[cavemanrich]

It just dawned on me. Do you know the chicken variety that you have?? I only see one picture and it looks like it is JUNGLE FOWL. I had a hen of that species and it looked like your bird. Both hens and roosters are similar colors. with roos having larger fancier tails. That explains why they prefer trees to coop. I miss my jungle fowl hen. Lost her to predator attack a few years back. When I had her I did a little research on that species. Turn out that they are capable of quite long flight. Most likely the top fliers of all chickens, Also one variety is also capable of flight over water. . It was very interesting to find that stuff out. I am on a lookout for some more when I go to the swap meet in the spring. They are somewhat rare where I live. Haven't seen any since. Your chicken may not be of pure breed jungle fowl, but so what. ITS A BEAUTY.

Check google image search and you will see.