What would be best is to add a bunch of clutter to your coop. I am imagining, but I am wondering if your run is not a wide open spot where as a bird in any one place can see all of the other birds?
The best situation is doing something that encourages them to work it out. They will work it out most of the time. However, adding some pallets, up on cement blocks, some leaned against the wall or fence. Adding an old ladder, or chairs, or totes or cardboard boxes, small pieces of plywood. These will all give more shelter, and more hideouts. More ability for birds to get out of sight of each other.
When two chickens meet, they decide who is higher, who is lower. The lower bird needs to give way. In a wide open, empty run, a bird cannot get out of sight of the dominant bird, and for some birds, they take that as disrespect, and feel the need to reinforce the pecking order with a chase. If the bird cannot get away out of sight, it can get more and more violent.
I have seen the lower bird run behind something and disappear, only a few seconds to come back out, and everyone be fine with that.
My suggestion is to add a lot more clutter. This gives your birds more room, as most empty runs, do not use the third dimension of space, the vertical. It gives birds more exercise to fly up to roosts or platforms in the run. Mine love to bask in the sun in the late afternoon.
Mrs K
The best situation is doing something that encourages them to work it out. They will work it out most of the time. However, adding some pallets, up on cement blocks, some leaned against the wall or fence. Adding an old ladder, or chairs, or totes or cardboard boxes, small pieces of plywood. These will all give more shelter, and more hideouts. More ability for birds to get out of sight of each other.
When two chickens meet, they decide who is higher, who is lower. The lower bird needs to give way. In a wide open, empty run, a bird cannot get out of sight of the dominant bird, and for some birds, they take that as disrespect, and feel the need to reinforce the pecking order with a chase. If the bird cannot get away out of sight, it can get more and more violent.
I have seen the lower bird run behind something and disappear, only a few seconds to come back out, and everyone be fine with that.
My suggestion is to add a lot more clutter. This gives your birds more room, as most empty runs, do not use the third dimension of space, the vertical. It gives birds more exercise to fly up to roosts or platforms in the run. Mine love to bask in the sun in the late afternoon.
Mrs K
