why wont my new chicks sleep in the coop

[tpatchin2]

my new chicks sleep ouside at night, and my cochine hen has a 4 week old chick and she wont get along with the group..

 

[Judy]

Quote:
My mama hens with new chicks always keep their distance from the other hens -- and run off any hen who comes too close. It seems to be part of protecting her chicks.

There could be a number of reasons why your chicks are sleeping outside. If it is hot where you are, it could be that it's cooler outdoors. There could be something in the coop they are avoiding, like lice/mites, a rat, a snake, etc. If it has little natural light, like no window, and is dark in there, they won't go in. I'm sure there are more, that's just what comes to mind at the moment.

And, welcome to our forum! There is a wealth of information here, two search features, and lots of friendly folks!

 

[Sorin]

Hello! And

I'll try and help out here. Your chicks need to be locked in the coop for a few days to learn that this is their home. After a few days they will figure it out and should go in on their own after that. To help with the other part of your question we need a little more information. How many "groups" of chickens do you have and what are their ages. The one that doesn't get along, how old is the group she won't get along with. Give us a little more info and we would be glad to help

 

[Frost Homestead]

Do you have other older hens that you've had since before your new additions?

I have several different hens that I got at different times and only the ones that were originally with the group will share the hen house at night. We had to build an addition for the other ones because they were literally sleeping outside in the rain. With mine I think it was a dominance thing, the new hens were smaller and didn't want to fight their way into the coop at night. Good luck!

 

[tpatchin2]

I have 1 group of 2 silkies 3 brahmas,andthat i cant identify, that were raised together. Then I have my cochine and her chick. should I wait till the chick gets older?