[Sudanpan]

We have 2 chicken coops in our big chicken run. Both coops have automatic door closes on them (bliss!) The main coop has always been used by the main group of chickens, while the other coop has been nicknamed the 'broody coop' s this is where Demi hatched out her 2 female chicks in early November.


Up until very recently Demi and the 2 young ones have been exclusively using the broody coop. In last week Demi has essentially weaned herself off the 2 youngsters and rejoined the main group. The 2 youngsters have kept each other company. Once Demi had rejoined the main group she returned to the main coop at night, while the 2 youngsters have remained in the broody coop at night. In the last couple of days I have noticed that the black youngster is now joining the main group at night in the main coop - leaving the young golden one all by herself in the broody coop.


Is this normal? I would have thought the desire to be in a group would have meant the young gold one would also go to the main coop and not want to be alone.


It doesn't really make any odds, but I'm just curious 

[shygirl]

maybe she needs prompting. i would pick her up at night and put her where you want her and maybe close the door of the unwanted coop. its quite cold so the more in the coop the warmer it will be.

[chrismahon]

Some take longer than others Sudanpan. The desire to have company is outweighed by the need to roost in the same place as usual. We have moved coops to find some keep wandering around where it used to be, looking for it. Good trait to have because they will be far less likely to lay anywhere else but the nest boxes in their own coop.


As Shygirl says. Move her at night and put her next to her sister in the main coop. I wouldn't close the broody coop though as all she will do is make a lot of noise and may just settle outside the door. You might have to repeat this moving exercise a few times until she imprints the location of the main coop.