Newer pullets refuse to use coop

[jctalbert]

I have 3, four year old Austrolorpes and have been integrating 4 new pullets but the younger birds refuse to use the coop. The older birds do a bit of bluff around food but all in all they all seem to get along without any real fights in the run. But at night… the 4 younger birds sleep outside in a huddle even if I put them in the coop after it is dark.

 

[ChaosMom]

I have 3, four year old Austrolorpes and have been integrating 4 new pullets but the younger birds refuse to use the coop. The older birds do a bit of bluff around food but all in all they all seem to get along without any real fights in the run. But at night… the 4 younger birds sleep outside in a huddle even if I put them in the coop after it is dark.

Do you have a coop camera, or any other way to tell if the hens are harassing the pullets? Did you integrate the youngsters first for a few weeks with the look-don't-touch method?

 

[jctalbert]

Yes and yes. They just don’t seem to associate the coop with happiness. lol. They would rather sleep out every night. That’s ok during the warm months but later this fall…? All the chickens are in a large run and while the pullets keep a wary eye on the older ones they are all eating and drinking from the same stations and while they are not best buddies they don’t seem to be in constant fear by any means. But, as night falls the older ones go to the coop and the pullets camp out.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How do the chicks get out of the coop after you put them in after dark?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Any photos of your set up, specifically the coop and the roost area inside? Do you have a pop door that closes, even if it's normally propped open? Need to lock them in there if you want them to stay in.