Introducing a new hen

[colbees]

i just got a new hen which is a Dominique, I currently have americanas. The americanas are really bullying the new hen, the Dominique hides to avoid pecking. they mostly peck the back of her head, but only pull feathers. is this okay, how long will it last? we've currently had the new hen with the flock for 2 days, thanks

 

[chickenbrat]

I am not a chicken expert, but i do have 11 chickens, and this is what i have heared:
1. nighttime is the best time to add the new chicken. if you add the chicken at night, the others in the moring will think she has been their along, and they shoudent hurt her. but if that dosent work, section off a small part of your coop, with chicken wire. put the new chicken on the other side alone. the older chickens and your new one, will see eachother and adventually, you can remove the screen\wire and they should be fine,
that's all i know. hope it helps

 

[Eggcessive]

It is always best to have 2 or more to introduce at a time. Sometimes if you take the bully out of the group and isolate her for a couple of days, then re-introduce her, and her status has dropped. Another method is to put the most docile chick in with the new one for a couple of days, then introduce them back in. Many different methods to try, but since this is a day or so after you first posted they may have already sorted out the new pecking order.

 

[chickenbrat]

I agree, adding more than one chicken into the flock will help a lot.