Young hen staying in coop

[baldgeezer]

So recently just got a batch of new hens. Previously had rescue ex-battery hens but this time decided on some new young Pols. All but one come out in the morning. This one hen just stays in the coop on the roosting rack.

If I open up the back and encourage it out, it will go out into the run with the others but when I return later it’s back in the coop!

When we collected them they were all in a large barn so were not exposed to the outside world so wondering if this one is particularly nervous?

 

[Yardmom]

Yes it is nervous. It could be nervous of the outside world or it maybe nervous of the other chickens. Was this bird in the same place (pen) as the others before you got it? How long ago did you get them? When all the birds are in the coop does it come off the roost and interact with its flock mates?

 

[baldgeezer]

We got them about 4 days ago. We got them all together from the same place so they grew up as chicks together. Yes it does interact with the others. If we encourage it out of the coop into the run it happily scratches around and feeds and mingles with the others.

Wondered also if it feels the cold more than the others and just likes to be inside more?

 

[Ridgerunner]

new young Pols.

So still kind of immature. Think of a teenaged girl, not quite a woman but not still a kid. Some don't always know where they fit into society so they can act awkwardly.

My goal in integration is that no one gets hurt. Is she getting injured or hurt in any way? Is she eating and drinking? Unless you see something really wrong I suggest patience and let them work it out. Keep an eye on them. Each chicken has its own personality and each flock has its own dynamics so you don't get guarantees but they typically work it out.