will my babies ever come outside?

[6littlechickies]

I'm hoping this is the right forum to post this in....

I thought maybe someone here could give me some reassurance and/or some tips to assist.

We currently have 16 hens, one rooster and 6 pullets in our coop. Last night DH put our six 9 week old babies out there as they were just getting TOO big for the brooder. I went to check on them this morning and they seem to be fine--at little skiddish, but good. They are all hanging out, practically on top of one another, inside the coop. I did go in and put them all outside (using their doorway) but they all just stood right outside for a minute and then went right back inside. I went out a second time to find them all huddled together (not cold) right by my door inside the coop. All the big chickens (except one sitting on the nest) are out in the run and I didn't see anyone come over and pick on them while there were outside.

I do have the food and water inside so maybe that's why they are hanging there? Also, the second time I did bring ech over to the water and watched everyone take a drink, i had already seen them eating the first trip out.

when we put the pullets in they were about the same age but i put them in the run to start off with (during the day) and it took a few days but they usually go inside at night now. I also put a small shelter for them in the outer coop b/c they were not initially going in at night. These chicks we put right in the coop last night after everyone was hunkered down for the night. I had read that doing it that way may help integrate better.

I guess what i'm wondering is if I should just leave them be and they will come out in their own time or if i need to take a more proactive approach?

thanks in advance for any ideas, suggestions, experience, etc!

 

[barred-rocks-rock]

My pullets did the same at six weeks. I would move their food or water outside of the coop. I would also give them some treats like leaves, brances, lettuce, corn, or strawberries, but put them outside. once they spend time outside , they will be reasurred that it is safe outside

 

[HenMamma]

Of twenty pullets I placed in the coop at the same time I had 3 especially shy ones. I let them do their own thing, and they didn't come out for a month! Now they are out just as much as any of the others, they were just being rebellious.

 

[Brassmaster]

Are you sure they have not been pecked on inside the coop? When I introduced my 12 week olds with the older hens, the older hens let it be known what the pecking order was right away. Anytime the younger ones came down out of the tractor the older hens would send them to the corner. Now the younger ones sit at the opening of the ladder and wait until we remove the older hens for some R&R in the run before they come down.

 

[RL]

I had 3 young ones that did that when I first put them in the coop. For the first few days they stayed in the coop and huddled and would not go out side - I guess becaue they knew the big monsters were out there.

I set them up a small place for them to hide from the older ones when they are all in the coop and set some food and water in it for them. I think it took about a week and the young ones were running in and out of the coop like they owned the place, that is until the older ones came around and then they would hurry away. The young ones are now almost part of the click now and don't get smacked down by the older hens as much, but they still don't run with the older ones in the yard.

I am thinking this is normal so as long as the older ones are not beatting them to death and they can get food and water they will be fine. It just will take time.

 

[6littlechickies]

thanks everyone! great advice! It doesn't look like they are being picked on, maybe a quick lunge when the get close to a couple of them but nothing to worry about.

Right now they are out in the run, some of the other big girls are too. no big fights but the little ones are hanging together--not on top of one another though, so progress!

I may try to find a way to section off an area just for them tonight, just so there isn't any picking, have to see what i can come up with.