Hi Everyone, My wife and I bought 4 RIR hens from a craigslist ad which were raised together from chicks this past spring by another owner.. These were our first chickens and were very nice to eachother and quiet. We have had them about a month.
Less than two weeks ago we bought a couple of 1 year old or so cochins to have a calmer bird that we could hold and have be more of a "pet"
The problem we are encountering is that these birds (Cochins) which are much bigger that the RIR's...are being pecked constantly, chased non stop, and what seems like over the top bullied.
Many times I look out our window into the run and see them scared and huddled in a corner getting pecked non stop, or running around and around trying to get away from the RIR's. They are so nice and docile with no retaliation.
I don't think they are getting much food from the feeder due to the Reds bullying them away. (I usually isolate the Cochins with the food a couple times a day so they can eat in peace)
The other day, the ladder from the run into the coop had fallen down maybe due to them bumping it while being chased (they are still able to jump/flap up into the doorway)...but one of the cochins was sitting half out of the doorway with all the reds surrounding her, and the other was huddled in the corner of the run under the coop...as if she was not allowed in.
It makes us really sad and frusterated to see this...I understand there is a pecking order...but JEEZE ENOUGH ALREADY!!!
We have taken the calmest of the Cochins (salt) inside the house for now and given her as much food/water/worms as she can stand, as well as a diaper
. The other Cochin we got with her (Pepper) was also picking on her, so we thought it best to take her out of there.
We are not sure what to do at this point, as it's clear that they are at the bottom of the order, and it's not getting any better.
The only time things seem ok is when they are free ranging in our back yard during the day. They all seem to mind their own business and spread out, although they occasionally get chased or pecked.
The RIR's are our egg layers, and consistantly lay 1 a day each, and are the reason we have chickens. We occasionally get one from the Cochins. Any ideas or suggestions? We have butchered some free chickens we picked up from craigslist, and are not against doing so with the ones that are not working out, although we are quite partial to the sweet Cochins.
Thank you all for taking any time to read this or reply with comments!
*Dusty*
Berta
Gretchen
Alvie
Kung Pao
Pepper
Salt
Less than two weeks ago we bought a couple of 1 year old or so cochins to have a calmer bird that we could hold and have be more of a "pet"
The problem we are encountering is that these birds (Cochins) which are much bigger that the RIR's...are being pecked constantly, chased non stop, and what seems like over the top bullied.

I don't think they are getting much food from the feeder due to the Reds bullying them away. (I usually isolate the Cochins with the food a couple times a day so they can eat in peace)
The other day, the ladder from the run into the coop had fallen down maybe due to them bumping it while being chased (they are still able to jump/flap up into the doorway)...but one of the cochins was sitting half out of the doorway with all the reds surrounding her, and the other was huddled in the corner of the run under the coop...as if she was not allowed in.
It makes us really sad and frusterated to see this...I understand there is a pecking order...but JEEZE ENOUGH ALREADY!!!
We have taken the calmest of the Cochins (salt) inside the house for now and given her as much food/water/worms as she can stand, as well as a diaper

We are not sure what to do at this point, as it's clear that they are at the bottom of the order, and it's not getting any better.
The only time things seem ok is when they are free ranging in our back yard during the day. They all seem to mind their own business and spread out, although they occasionally get chased or pecked.
The RIR's are our egg layers, and consistantly lay 1 a day each, and are the reason we have chickens. We occasionally get one from the Cochins. Any ideas or suggestions? We have butchered some free chickens we picked up from craigslist, and are not against doing so with the ones that are not working out, although we are quite partial to the sweet Cochins.
Thank you all for taking any time to read this or reply with comments!
*Dusty*
Berta
Gretchen
Alvie
Kung Pao
Pepper
Salt