Aggression toward recently introduced chickens

[liviu]

Well over 1 year ago I introduced 2 new pullets to my flock of 6. They were both similarly aged to all of mine (about 7 months at the time). The introduction didn't go very well and I admit I didn't do a great job of gradually getting them used to one another, which is why the 2 newbies got themselves beat up pretty good. They now get along fine generally speaking, but the 2 new ones are definitely at the bottom of the pecking order. Most importantly, they still get beat up every night when getting ready to roost, and they're the last ones to make it into the coop as they keep getting chased out of there by the other ones. Last night blood was drawn from the one lowest on the pecking order. Her head is already almost bald and plumage doesn't look too great, and on a nightly basis has to start her evening in the nest box, before ultimately graduating to the roost. Any recommendations you have to help her would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

My advice is to find the bully hen and separate her for a few days or even a week. Once things call down, reintroduce her and she will be on the bottom of the pecking order.

 

[liviu]

My advice is to find the bully hen and separate her for a few days or even a week. Once things call down, reintroduce her and she will be on the bottom of the pecking order.

I would agree with you, but unfortunately several of them go after her.

 

[GoosesGeeses]

How many are messing with them?

 

[liviu]

How many are messing with them?

All but one of my other chickens doesn't mess with them.

 

[GoosesGeeses]

How did you introduce them to one another?

 

[Eggcessive]

How much room do you have in your coop, and how many hens? Do you have enough roosts? Are you feeding a 16 to 20% protein balanced layer or all flock feed? Are they mostly just letting the 2 hens know where they cannot roost? Is your coop large enough for you to watch the behavior at roost time, or can you put a game camera in there? Pinless peepers are a device that are attached to the beaks of bullies if nothing else works. Those keep the chicken from aiming at the other chicken.

 

[Eggcessive]

This article by azygous is good for helping bullied chickens to regain their self confidence:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

 

[liviu]

How did you introduce them to one another?

I gave them some time apart before letting them interact with each other.

 

[GoosesGeeses]

Like through a cage so they could see one another?