Integrating just 1 mean chicken

[Liz-6]

A friend who had two chickens lost one to a raccoon attack, leaving her 6 yr old austrolorp with PTSD. She was afraid and not happy so I agreed to adopt her. I assumed she’d get bullied by my flock of 8, but committed to giving adoption a shot. To my surprise, she’s been extremely aggressive from the get go. I keep them separated but within eyesight, allowing them mingle time at free range time early evening. My flock is terrified of her, she’s very aggressive, goes out of her way to terrorize my chickens. She’s been sleeping in my main coup, goes in early and roosts well away in a high corner. I watch them all closely each am, mine all go out prior to this refugee- she waits until everyone out then enters my main run, she proceeds to be mean and aggressive enough it’s concerning so I wait a couple minutes to be sure, then separate her in an adjacent pen where she spends the day. Has anyone had this situation where a new chicken is the bully?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

How old is your flock?

 

[Liz-6]

Three are 4 yrs old and 5 are 7 months old. They integrated about three months ago, get along very well

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Three are 4 yrs old and 5 are 7 months old. They integrated about three months ago, get along very well

So the Australorp is older than all of them, but I don't imagine that she knows she's older than the 4-year-olds. It's interesting that she feels entitled to boss them around.

I'm going to have to make way for the more experienced members here. @Mrs. K @Ridgerunner @rosemarythyme -and the rest of the usual suspects, lol.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hmm not sure what to advise. I've never integrated in an older bird, strictly chicks, which is more predictable.

 

[McChooky]

When I integrated a Wyandotte(lone survivor of a dog attack) she walked in like a boss and took a dust bath.The 1st hen approached her was the only one .(I had already separated her for 2 weeks in a look but don't touch coop attached to the run ) The first night she went in to go to roost with them everyone ran out. I had to separate her a little longer but they all get along great now

 

[Liz-6]

That’s good to know. This austrolorp (Rosa) def is acting like a boss. It’s interesting bc so unexpected. She also could be traumatized by the attack and in super offensive mode. I’m hoping time heals all - will update this post after the weekend

 

[McChooky]

That’s good to know. This austrolorp (Rosa) def is acting like a boss. It’s interesting bc so unexpected. She also could be traumatized by the attack and in super offensive mode. I’m hoping time heals all - will update this post after the weekend

My hens had only visual contact for 3 weeks a(I kept her inside a couple days when I first got her).The next stage was run time .This lasted about 10 days.She wasn't allowed to roost with them until they stopped running from her