Chicken Trying to Escape

[Alex998]

Hello! New chicken owner here, and I have 17 chickens (1 Rooster 16 Hens). One of them is pretty old and is very small, and the other hens (never the rooster) will peck her head and pick on her. There is no visible damage on her head, and no missing feathers. However, whenever I open the egg laying compartment, she is almost always there and is trying to escape. When I open the main door, she'll also try to escape. I also have a run for the chickens, about 25 sq ft, and if I put her in there, she'll just run to me and the other hens might peck her and she will be very afraid. I do not know the cause of this. Could it be stress? I have added some more hens this summer, but until about a week ago they were fine and were in the run together, with very little pecking. It only started this week. Could it be the other hens sensing sickness in her? She does not appear sick and is pretty nimble and is very friendly to people. The last reason I could think of is overcrowding, but I would say I have enough space, but I am not certain. I am just worried that she is sick or the other hens are stressed.

Help Appreciated!
This the hen I am talking about:

 

[DobieLover]

You have a coop and a 25 sq ft run for 17 birds? If that is all the space you have they are visciously overcrowded. Can you please post pictures of your setup? All of it?
She is being bullied and is desperately trying to escape.

 

[Alex998]

They have a lot more Space than just that, as there are actually 2 coops and 2 open spaces +plus the run. And the run is actually 200 sq feet! The whole place is about 300 sq ft. Sorry for the confusion and I might post pictures later.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is the run space a big empty rectangle or is there clutter to provide hiding spaces? How many feeders do you have, and are they placed far apart with something to break line of sight so birds can't guard food?

 

[Alex998]

Is the run space a big empty rectangle or is there clutter to provide hiding spaces? How many feeders do you have, and are they placed far apart with something to break line of sight so birds can't guard food?

The run is a big empty rectangle, and there are 3 feeders, with one of them being right next to the egg laying hatch.

 

[BecaHawaii]

Hello! New chicken owner here, and I have 17 chickens (1 Rooster 16 Hens). One of them is pretty old and is very small, and the other hens (never the rooster) will peck her head and pick on her. There is no visible damage on her head, and no missing feathers. However, whenever I open the egg laying compartment, she is almost always there and is trying to escape. When I open the main door, she'll also try to escape. I also have a run for the chickens, about 25 sq ft, and if I put her in there, she'll just run to me and the other hens might peck her and she will be very afraid. I do not know the cause of this. Could it be stress? I have added some more hens this summer, but until about a week ago they were fine and were in the run together, with very little pecking. It only started this week. Could it be the other hens sensing sickness in her? She does not appear sick and is pretty nimble and is very friendly to people. The last reason I could think of is overcrowding, but I would say I have enough space, but I am not certain. I am just worried that she is sick or the other hens are stressed.

Help Appreciated!
This the hen I am talking about:View attachment 2827202

Make sure you have different levels for the birds to perch. Stumps, perches, milk crates, etc. Places to hide if needed.

 

[DobieLover]

The run is a big empty rectangle, and there are 3 feeders, with one of them being right next to the egg laying hatch.

Again, pictures will help.
You need to put lots of things in the run including substrate on the ground for them to scratch around in. Add perches, logs, chairs, pallets leaning against each other for them to go under and fly up on.

Old wood saw horses and two cut down pallets leaning against eachother behind the brooder run.

 

[Alex998]

Make sure you have different levels for the birds to perch. Stumps, perches, milk crates, etc. Places to hide if needed.

Will do

 

[Alex998]

Again, pictures will help.
You need to put lots of things in the run including substrate on the ground for them to scratch around in. Add perches, logs, chairs, pallets leaning against each other for them to go under and fly up on.
View attachment 2827553

Old wood saw horses and two cut down pallets leaning against eachother behind the brooder run.
View attachment 2827554

Will put stuff in, will take pictures later today. Thanks!

 

[Alex998]

What I find weird though is the behavior only started this week, and they were fine before then, I wonder if anyone could explain that.