Why Won't Some of My Chickens Go Outside?

[eeckenrode]

I introduced a batch of 8 hens to my exsisting group of 12 hens, 1 rooster a few months ago. My original group seems to dominate and they go out in the run and come back in the coop as they please. The new group will not go out in the run. I have even opened up the main door to the coop to allow them to go out the front to free range, but they refuse to go outside. When I got them they were about 5 months old and I beleive they had been in a barn for their entire lives. Could this be why? Will they ever go outside?

 

[rcentner]

they will go outside eventually, I have had some stay in the coop for months before getting the nerve up to go outside. Try coaxing them with some cracked corn or scratch grains. Put in in several locations so they can all get some