Ok, I got a new coop with a new free bantam hen quite a while ago from a friend. We've waited a month+ time to quarantine, etc. So over the weekend while I was gone, my husband thought it was time to have them all meet ( my 3 three standards to the one banty ). Well, I wasn't here and he did it in the middle of the day and just let 'em have it! So one hen gets along with the bantam, my other hen is going through a molt and seems weaker due to it, and the bantam ( aka-Betty) is really nasty to her, chasing, attacking, drawing blood. Relentless in fact and my molting hen is terrified of her. Ok, so my DH then seperated them back to the way it had been. My 3 in the old coop, and Betty in hers. So we know it's best to transfer one hen at a time, at night while roosting. We did that last night with Gloria, the one who is fine with Betty. Now, I don't know who will be next? Do I do it with the one that's terrified and most likely to get beat up, or do I leave her to last? But if I leave her last, she'll freak out...etc. Also, do I do this everyday or wait a day or two in between?
I don't have an answer for you, but I can say, from what I've seen here, that molting can really take a toll on a chicken's status in the group. Even the ones at the top of the pecking order will be more passive when they have bare patches exposed--they just seem and act more vulnerable. The only thing I might suggest is, since you've waited this long, could you let that one hen finish her molt before introducing the bantam? I'd watch that bantam carefully. I'd have a real problem if a newcomer drew blood on one of my existing flock, but that's just me!
Oh, I'm not thrilled with blood and the kids I guess saw some of the brawl....I guess I can wait, but how long does it take??
