New Chicks not integrating or roosting in coop

[Henrietta]

My two new girls (old English Pheasant Game) are not quite POL yet but of a good size. I have 6 others girls (4 elderly bantams and 2 vigorous but friendly Silver Linked Ambers). To integrate I did what I usually do - kept these 2 in a large run within the very big walk-in run for over 2 weeks and then let them out for a little longer each day. They get their fair share of being told where they are in the order but to be fair most of the "antagonists" are smaller than they are. They are not integrating after 2 weeks at all. Then I became aware that they are roosting on top of the Coop (Green Frog Loft - takes 8 full sized hens). I put them in for several nights (even though they are safe as the run is covered completely with mesh and has a tarpaulin over half of it). However, every night they happily settle on the curved roof of the Coop together. With winter coming on - should I be more persistent in putting them in the coop or will they just do it in their own time? Anyone else had this issue? Thanks

 

[dinosaw]

Some birds just don't like roosting indoors Henrietta. I've currently got 8 birds in two separate groups of 4 who roost outside, four of them roosted the entire winter last year outside up in the roof beams and I had a bird who used to roost by herself constantly over a period of years. She used to take herself into the house when it became particularly cold or when she was moulting. I have to add though that all my outdoors roosters have nice sheltered roosts out of the wind and rain. Years ago I might have advised you to persist with putting them inside but now I would say just leave them to it and they will choose what they prefer to do when it gets colder.

Edit. Just wanted to add that Old English Game are a very hardy breed.

 

[Marigold]

Is your coop under the tarpaulin, Henrietta? If so, I would agree with Dinosaw - it's their choice, they won't get too cold. It's simply pouring with rain here at the moment, though, and I wouldn't be happy about leaving birds out in it - under those circumstances I would either move the coop, or cover the rest of the run, or persevere with putting them in at night.

 

[Henrietta]

Thank you so much Marigold and Dinosaur......... Yes they are well under cover and on top of the rounded roof of the coop they probably benefit from the warmth given off by the girls inside. Where they are is reasonably sheltered and certainly dry so you have put my mind at rest. Appreciate the info. about the breed as well - thanks again.