Nervous about mixed flocks

[bobbi-j]

How big are your coop and run in feet by feet? Is there enough space for the young ones to get far enough away from the older ones? When the older ones peck, they are telling the younger ones to get out of their space. If the younger ones can't get far enough away, the older ones will keep pecking at them.

 

[c4wilson]

The setup is moveable and I move it once or twice a week. The coop is about 5’x6’ and the run about 5’x12’ (forgot exactly and will check when I get home)... but here is a picture from the webcam I keep on it.

I’m not sure but the last time I saw one go down, she was pinned behind the feeder and sat on and her neck was pecked at.

Thanks for the help!

 

[bobbi-j]

Personally, I think they need more space. You mentioned free ranging - all day, or just part of the day?

 

[c4wilson]

Just part of the day, more specifically an hour or two on weekdays and most of the day Saturday or Sunday. .
I found my previous post about upgrading the coop for more https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-do-i-need-to-expand-my-coop-and-run.1199576/
and the measurements I took were: The coop is about 5'x5' and the run is about 5'x13.5'

I'll add some hiding spots tonight and go back to forcing them down in the morning.

 

[bobbi-j]

That’s OK, I can go back and read. The thing is, the space recommendations are just that. A guideline, not a requirement. The best way to know if they have enough room is to watch their behavior. For example, if excessive bullying occurs, that could mean there’s not enough room for the subordinate it’s to get out of the way of the more dominant ones. If one (or more) doesn’t go in the coop at night, there may not be enough roost space. Things like that. Just watch your flock. They’ll tell you what they need.

 

[c4wilson]

That would definitely be consistent with not enough run space then. So maybe it isn't just a getting used to each other issue...

The problem is it will be tough to increase size since it is movable... I'll try to come up with something soon, but we have discussed sectioning off part of the yard, it just opens them up to predators.

 

[Chickassan]

I know you don't want to hear this but they're open to predators as you have it now, unless you build fort knox for chickens theres something out there that can get in and eat them. In your position I'd build a large stationary run and cover it with netting. You'll be more nervous but your birds will be happier.

That would definitely be consistent with not enough run space then. So maybe it isn't just a getting used to each other issue...

The problem is it will be tough to increase size since it is movable... I'll try to come up with something soon, but we have discussed sectioning off part of the yard, it just opens them up to predators.

 

[c4wilson]

Spoke with the wife about it last night, we are gonna try to add one of those portable dog pens on one side with the bird net on top. That way itll add more room that is still easy to move once or twice a week.

 

[c4wilson]

I’ve expanded the coop again and I am letting them free range almost all day. The older girls are still really picking on the younger ones. They now just pin them to the ground and bite the neck. I’m pretty sure there is blood now because some small flies seem to congregate on 3 of the 4 younger girls necks...

To complicate the issue I’m pretty sure some of them are eating eggs now...I think my only option is to separate the flocks again unless anyone has suggestions.

Pretty desperate at this point so any help is really appreciated!

 

[c4wilson]

I used a camera and confirmed the young girls are eating eggs. We are going to separate them to see if environment is the cause or if it is a habit they wont break.

It also looks like the older ones are picking on the younger ones trying to defend their eggs based off of the camera footage. So I think the cycle is worsening itself.

I probably should have gone with a larger size that didn't have a bottle neck (maybe coop in the center of two runs.