Introducing a new hen

[Undyingtable]

I have a hen and bought a new one to put in the coop with her. After she was the same size I introduced them. My old hen was being aggressive and the new hen was very submissive and kept running and screaming.

She keeps putting her head through the fence while my old hen pecks at her and I'm afraid she's going to get really hurt. I need some tips for introducing them so I can keep them in the same coop already. Thank you!

 

[Undyingtable]

Here's a picture of the coop with my older hen inside. My younger hen has been laying for 2 weeks now. Should I wait a little longer?

 

[Undyingtable]

Here

 

[Molliep2]

I was in your position before as I had some hens and got a new hen to add to the flock. I kept the two separated for about a week or two. I then put the new hen in a cage with food, water, etc. next to the coop/run so that the other hens could see and smell the new one to get acquainted but separate. After about a week or so when I felt that they were ready to share the same space and be together, I put the hens together and they were fine. To this day, they are in the same coop and are friendly towards one another.

 

[Undyingtable]

Thanks for your reply, I will try this out

 

[Molliep2]

Thanks for your reply, I will try this out

No problem! Please let me know how it works out!

 

[DobieLover]

It doesn't really look like you have enough space for two hens in your run and the coop is a bit small for two birds that are not getting along.
After you waited for the new pullet to grow to similar size, how did you make introductions? Using the look-don't-touch approach @Molliep2 did? That usually works to reduce excessive pecking.
After a more gradual introduction, it might also be easier to let them out of the run all together so they are more focused on eating and looking for goodies than establishing pecking order. Is that possible?

 

[Undyingtable]

I let her out most the day to roam my backyard and I originally introduced them back there. My new chicken, however, is so skittish that the moment she saw the old hen she ran off and would never go anywhere near her. But obviously I couldn't leave her outside all night without shelter so I would bring her back into a cage in my garage. After a week of that she still never went close to her so I tried to put them in the gate together. They would be fine for a bit then the old hen would start beating on her a lot. Should I try introducing them in an unfamiliar environment?

 

[DobieLover]

I let her out most the day to roam my backyard and I originally introduced them back there. My new chicken, however, is so skittish that the moment she saw the old hen she ran off and would never go anywhere near her. But obviously I couldn't leave her outside all night without shelter so I would bring her back into a cage in my garage. After a week of that she still never went close to her so I tried to put them in the gate together. They would be fine for a bit then the old hen would start beating on her a lot. Should I try introducing them in an unfamiliar environment?

I don't think that will work. I think you need to start over and wait longer with the time they can look and not touch. Have your pullet in a cage where your older girl can see her but not get at her. Wait a good week longer than you think you need to before introducing, either after dark by placing the new pullet on the roost with the older girl or by letting them out to run around the yard together after you open the coop in the morning. If it happens again, you might just have incompatible chickens and they'll never get along.

 

[Undyingtable]

Just set up two cages next to each other in the garage (made sure she can't reach). Wish me luck!