One chicken not letting other 3 into coop?

[chickity-chick]

Hi! So I have 4 almost 9 week old girls and every night the most dominant one goes into the coop first but sits on the edge of the coop entrance and blocks the other birds form getting in. The other 3 stand on the ladder and try and push past but she just doesn’t move. They eventually will sit on the stairs and try and roost there. What is the problem? How can I get her to stop blocking the entrance? I keep having to help them or else just watch a 40 long process of attempted shoving until the manage to squeeze in. There is plenty of room inside she just likes to sit right at the entrance!! Help! Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They are young yet. I would encourage them to go in at the appropriate time.

 

[chickity-chick]

They are young yet. I would encourage them to go in at the appropriate time.

How do I determine the proper time? Should I just pick a random time like 7pm and shove them all in? They seem to naturally go in around the 8:30 range some days earlier some days later. Also! I have not been closing the coop door and instead have been closing the mini run door (photo bellow) this is because of 2 reasons- the first being that I noticed they were panting and getting hot so I wanted them to have access to one of their water containers if the needed it and second because that way I can sleep in an hour more not worrying about them being locked into a coop with it food or water. I like that they can get up and see the day when they want. Then I open the door and let them into the rest of the sand run/bottom of the littles coop. Do you think this is part of the problem?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They are probably too hot in that coop earlier in the evening. I didn't know you had a smaller coop when I gave my initial advice. If they go in eventually than leave them be. Chicks often like to linger outside longer than adults will.

It also sounds like a bit of harmless bossy sibling behaviors out of what is probably the more dominant one.

 

[aart]

Am guessing it has more to do with heat, stale air, and lack of light in the coop.
More ventilation and light might help....hard to do with those coops tho.
I've used a battery operated puck light inside coop to lure the youngin's inside at dusk,
turn it on a hour before roost time, then turn it off when you lock up after dark.

 

[chickity-chick]

They are probably too hot in that coop earlier in the evening. I didn't know you had a smaller coop when I gave my initial advice. If they go in eventually than leave them be. Chicks often like to linger outside longer than adults will.

It also sounds like a bit of harmless bossy sibling behaviors out of what is probably the more dominant one.

Ok thank you I will leave the coop door open from now on to try and get more air circulation and just lock the run as I have been doing thank you both for the advice and help. I will let them be and leave door open

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Ok thank you I will leave the coop door open from now on to try and get more air circulation and just lock the run as I have been doing thank you both for the advice and help. I will let them be and leave door open

As long as your run is secure, or you are willing to risk losses.