Hen squabbles

[6512andgrowing]

We have a tight group of 3 aracaunas and just added a 4th hen (diff. breed) and the new one has been pulling feathers out of the original 3 hens' heinies and drawing blood. Egg laying has suffered. Will this resolve itself or do we give newbie the boot? (she's actually been around about 2-3 months now)

Thanks,
Rachel at http://6512andgrowing.wordpress.com/

 

[faykokoWV]

how much space do they have. It may be they are just too crowded with a fourth?

 

[apukanski]

I put 3 BSL with 7 white leghorns (all girls) it took a couple months
for them to even sit next to each other. 4 months later,BSL's sleep with the leghorns. They had to get their pecking order established. So far so good. Good Luck!