Well you’re right about that! It’s for sure a dominance thing lol. The run is 20x12. 7 hens all different breeds. The aggressor is a Rhode Island white and the new one is an Easter Egger. I knew it would be hard to add one chicken but she came from a home where she was all alone so I took her in . I kept them separate but visible for two weeks. Then when I felt it was time I let them all freerange together for 10 min or so. Then the next day same thing until everyone seemed ok. And there was a little pecking first thing but nothing crazy. But this white hen just won’t stop!
I will add some privacy areas if we can call them that but I’m not really sure how. Just low walls? Any ideas?
Ehhh....2 weeks might not have been long enough.
How big is the coop?
Pics of both coop and run would help garner some viable suggestions/solutions.
Here's some tips about....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.
Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.
In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.
The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.
Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.
Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can
really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/
