Alpha hen won't share:/

[vigorle]

Need help. We just built a new coop for our four hens. It's triangular shaped. Very nice coop. We have one five foot long tree branch serving as the roost bar across the middle where there is a ton of headroom. The problem is, my alpha hen won't let the other three hens on the bar! She runs across and knocks them off, so they are sleeping in the pans of wood chips underneath:/. There is plenty of room for everyone on the bar, and we can't add more roost bars. Any suggestions???

 

[sourland]

You might try 'hobbling' the dominant hen so that she can not get to the roost. The other birds may take advantage of her lack of mobility and knock her down a peg or two - which may or may not be permanent. The obvious solution is to get rid of the dominant hen.

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

If you get rid of the dominant hen, another one's just gonna become dominant and do the same thing. My solution may or may not be possible: get a rooster. I had the same problem til I got my boys. They make sure the hens are nice to each other and keep everyone in line. If that's not possible, I'm out of ideas

 

[vigorle]

Yeah. Can't have roosters in town. I thought about removing my bossy girl for a few nights so the other three can try out the bar...and then maybe put up more of a fight when I let her back in. Do you think that may work??

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

That could quite possibly work, I've never tried it. They do get their favourite spot, and they might fight to keep it when she comes back. I'd try it, the worst that could happen is nothing changes. It's worth a shot!

 

[aart]

Yeah. Can't have roosters in town. I thought about removing my bossy girl for a few nights so the other three can try out the bar...and then maybe put up more of a fight when I let her back in. Do you think that may work??

I'd try that for a few nights see what happens.
You could also put a partition across the roost, creating separate roost areas on one roost.

Can you post a pic of your coop and roost?
How old are your hens?

 

[vigorle]

Things are better! I have three sleeping on the bar now and one in the nest box. But she is defiant and always does something different from the rest. Lol. She is a rebel! I think we are making progress!

 

[aart]

Things are better! I have three sleeping on the bar now and one in the nest box. But she is defiant and always does something different from the rest. Lol. She is a rebel! I think we are making progress!

'Rebel' ....or she's the lowest bird and having the most trouble getting a place on the roost.
Keep at it, it can take some tenacity on the keepers part to coerce them to change their habits.

 

[vigorle]

No she is definitely not the lowest. She gives the alpha a run for her money. She is trying really hard to be in charge but my alpha is a bit bigger. I actually wonder if she will overthrow the alpha when they are done growing. Alpha is 1 month older than her. It's pretty entertaining.