Hens pecking each other, I've tried everything- im feeling frustrated!

[Chickassan]

No the sun comes up at 7 now and they aren't even active until they can see. I think your space is too small for seven birds.Not too small for sleeping or staying penned for a short while but too small for all day everyday. They are still pretty young and are already pecking each other and it isn't pecking order they don't have that yet. Try to work out a way they can have some new space, and see if that helps. I'm pretty sure it will.

I'm also wondering if it has something to do with morning time, we are getting out to let them into the run around 7, 7:15am. We don't have an auto door, would that have something to do with it?

 

[snow5164]

You could get something portable ,even a dog kennel and remove the floor , put 2-3 in that and rotate them so they get grass time ,

Or add on to your run it’s really small , mine is 10x50... and the run from end to end all day long

 

[Jenab26]

You could get something portable ,even a dog kennel and remove the floor , put 2-3 in that and rotate them so they get grass time ,

Or add on to your run it’s really small , mine is 10x50... and the run from end to end all day long

Is your run completely covered? We've spent a ton on making our run secured with hardware cloth and covered with a steel roof and I really don't have a few hundred extra to expand at this point!

 

[pennyJo1960]

I agree you need a bigger coop for that many or separate them into 2 flocks
with a second coop

 

[snow5164]

Yes my 10x50 foot run is completely covered in Hardware cloth , (I have two side by side ), that’s what you have to do to keep these guys safe and happy .Your coop is tight for that number of birds , lots of pecking happens at night

I know it costs a lot , I remember that . If you can’t set them up with the room they need they will just turn on each other , get sick and you’ve wasted money on buying chickens.

That’s why people need to plan how many birds before you build your coop and run ,

Get rid of some birds , problem solved .

 

[IamRainey]

What breed(s) do you have? I have put Pinless Peepers on bullies and that stops the pecking....it fits adults, not sure about 8 week olds.
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Any tips for getting the Pinless Peepers on them? I've got a couple Mean Girls I haven't been able to break too and I just got the PP. They came with some spring loaded pliers but no instructions for applying them.

 

[Kfults]

Is your run completely covered? We've spent a ton on making our run secured with hardware cloth and covered with a steel roof and I really don't have a few hundred extra to expand at this point!

I have a 12x12 secure run and leave my coup door open.... both preditor proof- for 12 birds. I added a 40x40 chicken wire fenced area and let them out after sunrise and lock at dusk. To keep them in and preditor proof I added an electric wire to bottom and top and covered with inexpensive netting I bought from amazon. It was a 50x50 net.
There is a lot less squabbling between my pullets since adding the extra space!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Adding space would probably help, even if it's only space they can use part of the day. Part of that being that when you add things for them to use, whether it's stumps or extra feeders, it takes away floor space. The run is technically big enough (though perhaps not for your flock's liking) but the coop is going to be tight once they're older, especially if you're in a colder or wetter climate.

What kind of bedding/flooring is in the run? Is it something they can scratch through? Chickens love to spend their time scratching through stuff, so maybe just adding a hay bale would help occupy them, but once again that takes up space, even if only for a while.

As far as what time they get let out and if that makes a difference, my auto door is set for 8 AM. I don't have picking issues, even with no food or water inside the coop and 2 subflocks, but my coop is bigger relative to number of birds.

 

[SueT]

Any tips for getting the Pinless Peepers on them? I've got a couple Mean Girls I haven't been able to break too and I just got the PP. They came with some spring loaded pliers but no instructions for applying them.

You need 2 people, one to hold the chicken, and the other puts on the peepers. We didn't even have the luxury of a tool, we just heated the peeper in very hot water so it was pliable. Check out YouTube for a demo. That's what we did. Practice with your tool first so you are quick. Good luck!

 

[Jenab26]

I was able to sit and get a better look at the chicks this morning and I'm now thinking they aren't pecking sores, maybe just developing some redness. They are all sprawling out together in the run.
In my run there's about half that's grass/dirt and half that's wood chip area, dirt under both. I have straw and can add some, and considering letting them free range for an hour or two to try it out when we are all home.
Edited to ask: redness seems normal or not on this buffs face? She's 8 weeks