We finally got our first chickens. Pecking order

[L66wlt]

I understand you're restricted with what you can do as far as expanding, but while coop looks good yes the run is too small for number of birds (especially during integration), so the older ones are going to protect what space and resources they have.

I'd get the run expanded out as soon as reasonable, and use the leftover scraps to cobble together some obstacles as shown in the link I posted earlier. You can also use some small yard items like a patio chair, empty flower pot, for clutter.

As far as food guarding, in the mornings I have 3-4 cat food dishes of food plus a feeder out (that's for 7 hens). Since you have less space you don't need to add quite so many, but it really helps to have at least 2 sources of food especially first thing in the morning.

If the younger birds are mostly staying inside, you could put a food bowl and water inside for the time being if that helps, once the older birds go out.

I'll get right onto the extra feeding stations now! Can't believe how quickly they break your heart seeing them being picked on.

Can you give the chicks a safe place in the run apart from the chickens where they can sleep, eat and drink? Something like a rabbit hutch, breeding pen or a large box / crate with an opening where the chicks can go through but the young pullets can’t.

They wil come out from time to time to explore. But it is important they have a place whre they feel secure. Too much stress is not good.

And a compliment for this great coop you build. The run is quit small though. Hope that they can free range too after grown up.

Thanks for the compliment. I'm going to divide a section off under the coop so they can retreat during the day. I can't section it all off as the Partridge Leghorn and copper black spend a lot of Tim under there too. I've put a piece of 8 inch wood in a section of the run at a height that the big chickens can't get under and put a food bowl under it for now and the little ones eat from that. Seems to work for the mean time.

 

[L66wlt]

Ok I didn't realize they could access the space under the coop, that actually can help with this. You could possibly put a temporary fence across there (chicken wire would even be fine) and keep the younger birds in there during the day, with their own food and water, just so they have a place they feel safe but where both sides can see each other.

Also extending out another 2.5m will definitely help open up more space to add clutter so they can feel a little safer when they are ready to enter the run with the others.

I'll segregate a part under it today. After the initial excitement of breakfast the bullying has died off a lot and it's just general pecking which all the birds are doing to each other when they get in each others way. Definitely a space issue I feel. We live and learn. When I was building it the wife was worried it was too big! Now she sees the chickens and has given me a free pass to go as big as possible haha.
I've put multiple bowls down now for food and the mood seems to be better and already had 2 eggs this morning (5 in total in only one day). I'm going a walk into the woods later and will get an old tree stump and branches for the run as a distraction.
Thanks for your help and the link above