Chicken is bullying her only friend!!!

[eggsdee]

Recently we had a tragic fox accident that whipped out 4 of our 5 chickens. We got another chicken (a silky, because the chicken left is a silkie cross) to be its friend. The chicken we got is very docile and sweet, a perfect match for our remaining chicken (who was on the bottom of the pecking order). OR SO WE THOUGHT!!!

We've only had the new one for a couple of days, but the surviving chicken won't stop pecking the new one, who is now too terrified to go near it. It will hide in very confined spaces for hours, and when the other chicken approaches it runs to us for protection.
For reference, they are free range during the day and locked in a coop at night.

Any suggestions on solving this problem and helping them get along would be much appreciated!!
Thank you!

PS: Our new chicken also won't eat scraps we give her. Trying to spoil to her is really hard Is this normal??

 

[nchls school]

Sounds pretty much like normal chicken behavior. Once dominance is worked out things should calm down. Give lots of space and "safe" places.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I would separate them (physically, so they can't touch each other) and do a "see, no touch" introduction of a week or so. Throwing chickens together without an introductory period where they can't harm each other is never a good idea.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Separate...reintroduce properly. You can start over.
Fencing between them you might have to bring one in or provide a covered crate for nighttime. The slower you go the better the integration.

 

[aart]

Our new chicken also won't eat scraps we give her.

She doesn't need scraps....or spoiling.... she needs a good chicken ration to keep her healthy during this stressful time.

You're thinking like a human instead of chicken...not good for the chickens.
Agrees with the above about integration...here's some general tips the might help:

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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock