Overly aggressive hen

[ScratchNbawk]

I’m sorry about the issues you’re having with your flock, and know how frustrating it can be. I think the space you have is tight for 7 hens, especially the roosting space; the lack of space could be stressing the hens.
I (with very little experience) recommend modifying the coop to add more space, or removing some hens.
Hope this helps, and hope you and your hens can find some peace

 

[aart]

is a little on the tight

Indeed.
Doesn't matter how big the run is if the coop is crowded,
RoostTimeRumble is the most contentious time of the day.

Since you do have a big run, changing the pop door from the bottom to the side of coop,
and adding some roost length could help.

 

[TreeChick]

I’m sorry about the issues you’re having with your flock, and know how frustrating it can be. I think the space you have is tight for 7 hens, especially the roosting space; the lack of space could be stressing the hens.
I (with very little experience) recommend modifying the coop to add more space, or removing some hens.
Hope this helps, and hope you and your hens can find some peace

Indeed.
Doesn't matter how big the run is if the coop is crowded,
RoostTimeRumble is the most contentious time of the day.

Since you do have a big run, changing the pop door from the bottom to the side of coop,
and adding some roost length could help.

You are probably right! I’ll see what we can do to move the door - I appreciate all the advice.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I agree that that space is definitely way too small but I would still try separating and seeing if it helps. But I would add more space if you can. That’s only really big enough for 3-4 hens at most. They need at least 4 sq ft per bird inside the coop and a foot of roost space each though more is always better. But separating may help for now until you can adjust.

And yes, separating totally is important because if they can see each other, she’s still maintaining her status in the flock. She needs to be completely removed from the pecking order for a bit and knocked down a few pegs.

Also, in the future, it’s usually better to integrate at least two, preferably three or more, birds together because a single one will get picked on more and make an easy target.

But I think your problems are stemming mostly from the lack of room. There may not be enough room for all of them in there so she is saving the resources for the established flock members.

 

[TreeChick]

Also @aart ‘Roost Time Rumble’ sounds like an epic 80s wrestling completion - I’m cracking up

 

[TreeChick]

I agree that that space is definitely way too small but I would still try separating and seeing if it helps. But I would add more space if you can. That’s only really big enough for 3-4 hens at most. They need at least 4 sq ft per bird inside the coop and a foot of roost space each though more is always better. But separating may help for now until you can adjust.

And yes, separating totally is important because if they can see each other, she’s still maintaining her status in the flock. She needs to be completely removed from the pecking order for a bit and knocked down a few pegs.

Also, in the future, it’s usually better to integrate at least two, preferably three or more, birds together because a single one will get picked on more and make an easy target.

But I think your problems are stemming mostly from the lack of room. There may not be enough room for all of them in there so she is saving the resources for the established flock members.

Yeah, thank you for confirming... I have Pepper separated starting from yesterday and not visible to the rest of the flock - it’s very peaceful in the coop at night! Last night was truly a breeze lol
I always read to integrate more birds is better but then it’s not really realistic to our flock seeing as we have so little space in the coop... the little rescue hen Bean the most recent newbie just tugged at my heart strings too hard to leave her at that city shelter - I knew it was going to be hard but not like this! I’m about ready to put a diaper on her and call her my new house chicken lol she’s a real sweetie.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Yeah, thank you for confirming... I have Pepper separated starting from yesterday and not visible to the rest of the flock - it’s very peaceful in the coop at night! Last night was truly a breeze lol
I always read to integrate more birds is better but then it’s not really realistic to our flock seeing as we have so little space in the coop... the little rescue hen Bean the most recent newbie just tugged at my heart strings too hard to leave her at that city shelter - I knew it was going to be hard but not like this! I’m about ready to put a diaper on her and call her my new house chicken lol she’s a real sweetie.

Glad it’s more peaceful! Hopefully with the separation she will be more behaved! And that’s understandable!! I would feel the same lol I’ve never integrated adults. I’ve been adding chicks to the flock And I totally I’d understand that cause I feel the same way about my little bantam cockerel lol he’s so cute!