Help need advice for aggressive cochin

[Laura lim]

How much bigger should I make the coop and how much bigger should I make the run. And can I make the coop taller or do i need to mAke it longer. I do live in a city but I have a pretty big back yard. Man I'm such a noob.

 

[Chickassan]

A couple feet wider world be great and taller the length is pretty good. If you can do it making two levels or even two sections is helpful so nobody has to be next to someone they don't want to be beside. Chickens are weird and sometimes insanely picky.

 

[Laura lim]

Im thinking of making the coop 3 feet taller and having a second level. And expanding the run out by 6 feet longer by 6 feet wide and making it only 4 feet tall and adding a small garden tomtbe top of that section as well. Does that sound good.

 

[Chickassan]

That sounds really good, in general the more space the better.

 

[Laura lim]

Thank you guys so much. I

 

[JaeG]

Don't worry - we were all noobs at some point. You'll be dishing out the advice before you know it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What also helps with a run is not just space, but hiding space. Anything for a bullied bird to get out of line of sight or to put some good distance between them and the other bird.

That said with 13 birds, assuming they're in the run full time, you should aim for a minimum of 130 sq ft. But given that this bird is apparently being attacked in the coop, AND the coop is too small (you should be aiming for 52 sq ft minimum) you'll really need to think about upping the square footage in both coop and run, and hopefully that'll help relieve some of the crowding. You said you can add a second usable level but will that cut into any roost space or nest boxes or interfere with ventilation? You definitely don't want to lose roosting space as that can also cause issues.

 

[aart]

Im thinking of making the coop 3 feet taller and having a second level.

Taller won't necessarily work if you don't also make it wider, can just lead to crash landings.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Do you have an alpha hen in the flock? This little squirt is displaying to all the other hens, "I am the boss lady here now!" I would put a saddle on both the cochin and the faverolle, it will distract the cochin for a time, and protect the faverolle from pecking on her back. Also, if you can use identical fabric pattern and colors. If the cochin continues, you will need to chase her around a bit. Catch her when she is bullying and place your hand on her back, while holding her down. Much like a rooster would do. Hold her still firmly but gently, till she calms down. Then, back away quietly. Also, add distractions to the run like hanging plastic bottles with scratch and mealworms in them, large bird suet holders stuffed with fresh greens & apple slices. Set them out a few times a week. It gets boring for the hens so sometimes they get "PMS" (Poultry Madness Syndrome) LOL!!!
I have an ameruacana, she has always been #1 mama in the flock. Sometimes she gets in a tude and will go after my blackstar. I calmed things down by making identical saddles for them. Then, after a few days I had to dominate the ameruacana a couple of times. Not to break her spirit, just calm her down. Now my rooster sets her straight when she gets outta hand! But yes, pecking order must happen...

 

[Laura lim]

Well I have added a 10ft x 10ft. Chicken yard. So now there is the 3ft x 8 ft coop. And 4ft tall. And the run is still 8ft x 8ft and 8 ft tall. And now the yard is 10ft x 10ft. I hope this helps out with the problem. Mean cochin is still in chicken jail. My husband is treating to eat her. But all the others are all happy campers.