chicken beating up on new addition

[rodeo4life]

Please forgive me as I am new to chickens and to this forum. Here's my problem that I hope y'all can help me with: I bought 2 Rhode Island Reds from the feed store around March (not sexed but they said MOST are pullets). They have gotten along perfectly fine this whole time. One has always pecked at my fingers when feeding etc and the other is calm. Last night I brought home a Rhode Island Red hen and an Americ. (sorry I dont know how to spell it) hen both laying already. the more aggressive of my original RIR is now beating up on the Amer so much to the point where she won't come down off the perch to drink or eat. I just don't know what to do I'm starting to wonder if maybe that one is a rooster and is just being aggressive/assertive. ANY advice/comments are welcome please!! thanks!!

 

[Kevin565]

. Sounds like she's establishing her place in the pecking order.

 

[rodeo4life]

thanks for the warm welcome and reply

i thought she may just be working out the pecking order too but she is being down right mean. i put the new one on the ground to see if she would eat or drink but the 2 original RIR attacked her so she jumped back up to the ledge that she had been on all day. i decided to put her in a wire dog kennel in the middle of the chicken pen (with her own food and water in there) so they can all see each other but they couldn't attack her anymore so maybe they can get used to each other. i am still hoping for any and all suggestions/comments for everyone.