I have had 4 hens for about 2 months; they came together and stick together in and out of the coop. They free range in a large garden most of the day. 6 days ago, I got 2 rescues from a battery farm. They are in their own coop which is attached to the big coop with the other hens in it. The new girls have been out in the garden over the past couple of days, they go in and out of their own coop and dont really stay outside of it for long periods especially when the others come close and kind of bully them.If they are left alone, they stay out longer but are happy to go in and out. They are now eating other food, ie leftovers etc, not just the layers mash I was advised to get for them. Tonight, I put them in the big coop with the other hens, about an hour before sundown. They were not really happy but still pecked around and ate and nibbled (until one of the others came close). I was interested in what would happen when the original 4 went into roost. They went in but the 2 new girls stayed outside near the gate to get out into the garden. I think if I had left them there, they would have snuggled together in the corner and would have got quite cold overnight. I opened the gate and they ran out and straight into their own little coop. I need advice as to what to do next... of course, the ideal is to get them all to live together. Am I being over protective? I have not let the 4 older girls into the small coop (they want to get in to get the food). I thought tomorrow I might leave all doors open and let them all do their own thing. Any thoughts? Thanks
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 11:22:19 +0000