Yesterday I introduced a new hen (34 weeks) to our group of 9 pullets (various breeds, 16 and 18 weeks old, none laying yet).
I believe the new hen is a red star - I get confused about all the red sex link variations and names.
At first it seemed there was just some pecking order stuff going on, but this new hen totally terrorized my others ! I didn't see any blood, but feathers were flying (none of them the new hen's), pullets were crying and all of my original girls were very upset and nervous. The last straw for me was when I went out around dusk last night and saw one of my young ones flying/climbing up the cyclone fence that protects the run with the new hen on her, pecking and hurting her.
I made the new hen sleep in the enclosed run area, and secured the others in the coop.
I decided to give it another try again this morning. Same thing. The hen pecks aggressively at the others for no apparent reason, even chasing them around the run. I have separated her from the others, but don't know what to do.
Is this behavior likely to continue? The hen was raised with a large group of other chickens. She was not like this when we met and chose her. She is very friendly with us, likes to be held and petted. In her former home she was just one of the group, not the aggressive terror she has become with us.
Is there any hope of creating good relations between her and my other 9? If so, how ??
I believe the new hen is a red star - I get confused about all the red sex link variations and names.
At first it seemed there was just some pecking order stuff going on, but this new hen totally terrorized my others ! I didn't see any blood, but feathers were flying (none of them the new hen's), pullets were crying and all of my original girls were very upset and nervous. The last straw for me was when I went out around dusk last night and saw one of my young ones flying/climbing up the cyclone fence that protects the run with the new hen on her, pecking and hurting her.
I made the new hen sleep in the enclosed run area, and secured the others in the coop.
I decided to give it another try again this morning. Same thing. The hen pecks aggressively at the others for no apparent reason, even chasing them around the run. I have separated her from the others, but don't know what to do.
Is this behavior likely to continue? The hen was raised with a large group of other chickens. She was not like this when we met and chose her. She is very friendly with us, likes to be held and petted. In her former home she was just one of the group, not the aggressive terror she has become with us.
Is there any hope of creating good relations between her and my other 9? If so, how ??
