Poorly chicken

[Macmolly]

I have just introduced 4 x 16week old hens to my 2 older rescued ex battery hens last week. However, during the evenings, the 4 new hens sit up high on top of the coop roof instead of going inside with the older hens. We have tried to encourage them in but the older 2 are pushing them out.

During the day, the older hens are definitely in charge and are certainly high in the pecking order. I’m worried that they’ll never get used to going in the coop. When We’ve introduced rescued hens before, they have been fine with the coop and had no intention of sitting up high for the night. Each night, we are lifting them down off the roof and putting in the coop. Thanks

[Beantree]

For now that's all you can do Macmolly, but things will change when they come into lay I think, so in about 6 weeks.

[Macmolly]

Thanks for your advice. Fingers crossed 

[Grandmashazzie]

When they have settled for night and are drowsy you could pop them into coop and shut door. I have done this in past and they will get used to each other. At moment about 4 of my hens choose to sleep on coop roof and I just leave them to it. 

[soapdragon]

Wait for the rain! I doubt they'll want to sleep outside in the wet!

[Cat tails]

Or block off the top of the roof, so they might persevere with the coop if they don’t have any other choice.

Edited April 26, 2020 by Cat tails

[Macmolly]

Thanks everyone. I just wanted to double check that we’re doing the right thing. I had thought the rain might change matters.