chickens moved in to new coop

[BrickBarn Acres]

Yesterday we moved our 13-week old chicks into their new coop. Previously they've been in a partitioned portion of our screened in porch. A few of them are getting pecked at quite heavily in the tail feather area. I applied "peck no more" or blue coat last night and yet today there is a new hen being pecked. There are 3 roosters and 10 hens. Up until now everyone seemed to be getting along just fine. Is this just a reaction to their new home and I just need to be patient or is there something I should do to stop the pecking. We're not letting them out of the coop. There is plenty of food and water and I'm using sand on the floor. this is also a change since we were using pine shavings on the porch. I've also noticed a runny chicken poop but I haven't changed their diet. There is a new waterer (nipple waterer), so there is a lot of new adjustment. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! How much space do they have? Sq. ft. per chick? Do they also have their original waterer? Extra feeders and waterers help, and lots of space. mary

 

[BrickBarn Acres]

it's a 8x9 coop which would be 72 square feet for 13 chickens. I left out the original waterer because everything I read said to do that to get them to drink out of the new one. Feeder is the same one they've been using. This space is much larger than what they were living in.

 

[PapaChaz]

is that all the room they have, inside and outside? general rule of thumb is thought to be 10 square feet per bird outside and 4 inside. These are more or less the minimums, bigger is better.

If that's total amount of room, they are going to be picking at each other because they're cramped. Too little space makes them grumpy

 

[Folly's place]

Some breed types are more aggressive than others, and some individuals just love to be difficult that way. Production reds can be like that, for example. Mary

 

[BrickBarn Acres]

thanks. we have 2 breeds, buff orpingtons and silver lace wyandottes - 2 of the more docile breeds from all my research.

 

[mechanic57]

When they are in a smaller space, they can put the peck in pecking order. The ones at the top of the order may being trying to control space to be more comfortable so they bully the other birds. The same goes for food and water. If you don't have a big feeder where many of the birds can feed at the same time, they can start to try to show dominance to determine who eats first. Multiple feeders and waterers can solve that or one big enough for them all to get to it at the same time and not be in each others way. I had 12 at the same time and as they grew, I upgraded to larger feeders and water dispensers. Just take 2 or 3 and touch their beak in the water so they recognize that the new device has water in it. They will drink and the others will see it and they will all learn fast where the water is. At 13 weeks, they are curious enough that they could most likely figure out a new water dispenser on their own without you pointing them to it.

 

[BrickBarn Acres]

thank you - will try hanging an additional waterer today. The feeder is large enough for everyone to get around. Once they're out in the run there will be additional water and feeder there as well. But they have to get through this first week or so of being "cooped up!"

 

[PapaChaz]

you didn't answer, so I'm going to assume that is actually all the space they have. You're going to have problems with too little space, I don't care how many feeders you put in there.

not picking on anyone, but you won't have to put their beaks in a new water dish to show them, they are naturally curious and will find it, and do so pretty quickly.

I personally just think your problem is that when they get over crowded they are going to be more aggressive toward each other. if you do the math, for 13 chickens full size chickens, as you have, you really need a minimum of 130 sq feet, and that's just outside. You have just over half that total. Add in that you have 2 "extra" roosters that are going to be battling for time with the girls will only make it worse. I'd say if you can't give them more room, you should downsize the flock

 

[BrickBarn Acres]

OK, so just to be clear. There is 72 square feet Just in the coop. I'm not letting them out in the run just yet so they get used to their new home. The run is 15 x 20 so once they're outside there will be twice the space as in the coop. sorry about the misunderstanding on space. They are confined right now. Today was better, no more signs of pecking, drinking lots of water and feeding well. I am still concerned about the runny poop. I added some apple cider vinegar to their water (1 capful to 3 gallons) so not overdone. I'm thinking it might help with the stress of all this. Maybe I should take a tablespoon myself!! Anyway, thanks to everyone for all the advice. I love that you're all as passionate about chickens as I am - and that the responses come so quickly after the question.