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ChookaPete said:
How long would I need to keep the two sub-flocks separated to reset the pecking order?
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It depends on if you get chicks or pullets. If chicks, I would partition off a section to set up as a brooder with a brooder plate and raise the chicks in sight of both Chamomile and the hy-lines. When the chicks are 3 - 4 weeks old, fashion two chick sized doors and temporarily crate Chamomile and let the chicks out into her space to check things out for about an hour. During this time, make sure the chicks know how to run back into their secured area. Then let Chamomile out and monitor. She may chase them or not. As long as she doesn't outright attack them and they can get back to their brooder, let them alone to sort things out. Make sure you have plenty of space and roosts and 2 feeders/waters so that the chicks can zip back and forth to get out of her way when she wants that.

Once the chicks and Chamomile finally start roosting together, after about a week you can then remove the barrier between her and the brooder and her and the hy-lines and again make sure that there is plenty of space for everyone to run away from high ranking birds. The 2 sub-flocks will eventually all become one but they will likely still hang out in 'clicks'.
ChookaPete said:
Or do I have to get another Leghorn/white chicken to pair up with Chamomile?
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I would get white chicks for Chamomile. The idea is to give her birds that look like her so that there will be 2 'clicks' that will eventually form a single flock.
The key to any successful integration is to provide a huge amount of space, multiple places to feed and give them lots of time.
 
DobieLover said:
It depends on if you get chicks or pullets. If chicks, I would partition off a section to set up as a brooder with a brooder plate and raise the chicks in sight of both Chamomile and the hy-lines. When the chicks are 3 - 4 weeks old, fashion two chick sized doors and temporarily crate Chamomile and let the chicks out into her space to check things out for about an hour. During this time, make sure the chicks know how to run back into their secured area. Then let Chamomile out and monitor. She may chase them or not. As long as she doesn't outright attack them and they can get back to their brooder, let them alone to sort things out. Make sure you have plenty of space and roosts and 2 feeders/waters so that the chicks can zip back and forth to get out of her way when she wants that.

Once the chicks and Chamomile finally start roosting together, after about a week you can then remove the barrier between her and the brooder and her and the hy-lines and again make sure that there is plenty of space for everyone to run away from high ranking birds. The 2 sub-flocks will eventually all become one but they will likely still hang out in 'clicks'.

I would get white chicks for Chamomile. The idea is to give her birds that look like her so that there will be 2 'clicks' that will eventually form a single flock.
The key to any successful integration is to provide a huge amount of space, multiple places to feed and give them lots of time.
Click to expand...

No white breed chicks were available, only Hy-Lines. Also the stockbreed shop lady said that it shouldn't matter about the breed, as what is most important is that Chamomile needs a friend.
So I bought two Hy-Lines that are about three-to-four weeks old, who I named Cinnamon and Caraway2.

I have put those two pullet chicks and my beloved Clover into the backyard and coop, to help improve Chamomile's wellbeing and develop her confidence. Clover is doing a great job so far.
 
Cinnamon and Caraway2 are now sleeping on the high perch with everyone else.

Today I put all the chickens in the backyard at the start of the day, and Cardamom stalked down Chamomile and attempted to attack her. I stopped her just in time. Then I shifted the four fully grown Hy-Lines to the front yard, while Chamomile and the pullets Cinnamon and Caraway2 stayed in the backyard.

In the late afternoon, after being separated for the day, Cardamom again went to attack Chamomile. Chamomile was quietly and calmly foraging, when Cardamom slowly stalked her. I sensed Chamomile's anxiety beginning to rise. Chamomile in fact squatted down on the ground in fear of Cardamom, and Cardamom pinned her down with her claw and stood over her, and gave her a peck on the neck.
No blood was drawn.

I got furious with Cardamom. I then used the hose to keep Cardamom at bay while Chamomile could get to the coop so she could go to bed.
 
ChookaPete said:
fact squatted down on the ground in fear of Cardamom
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She was submitting. That is not fear.
I would crate Cardamom for a few days to knock her down a peg or two in status then release her and see if that doesn't help. Cardamom may need pinless peepers to behave herself with Chamomile.
 
ChookaPete said:
Cinnamon and Caraway2 are now sleeping on the high perch with everyone else.

Today I put all the chickens in the backyard at the start of the day, and Cardamom stalked down Chamomile and attempted to attack her. I stopped her just in time. Then I shifted the four fully grown Hy-Lines to the front yard, while Chamomile and the pullets Cinnamon and Caraway2 stayed in the backyard.

In the late afternoon, after being separated for the day, Cardamom again went to attack Chamomile. Chamomile was quietly and calmly foraging, when Cardamom slowly stalked her. I sensed Chamomile's anxiety beginning to rise. Chamomile in fact squatted down on the ground in fear of Cardamom, and Cardamom pinned her down with her claw and stood over her, and gave her a peck on the neck.
No blood was drawn.

I got furious with Cardamom. I then used the hose to keep Cardamom at bay while Chamomile could get to the coop so she could go to bed.
Click to expand...
I agree with @DobieLover I would definitely cage the bully for a while. No bird should have to live in fear. I had a hen like Cardamom many years ago. She ended up living in pinless peepers all her life, she abused the entire flock. She never stopped her aggression with other birds or me for that matter. I am not sure what goes on in the heads of birds like this, but there is definitely a screw loose somewhere up there.
 

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