Introductions...bullying or normal behavior?

Silkie fluff butts · Jun 20, 2021

I have 2 older hens (Easter Egger and Australorp). I was given an older hen (looks like the Easter Egger but much smaller) because she was being bullied and has no feathers on top and back of her head. (They had her for a few weeks from someone who didn't want chickens any more.) So currently, she is in a mini coop with tiny run, inside our big chicken yard. My 2 can walk right up to the wire. The new one paces and my Easter Egger (Mama) goes right up and pecks at her. No violent jumping attack, but she's persistent in being there and trying to peck at the new girl. Is this ok to allow or should I put up a pen around the mini coop to keep them further apart? Incidentally, I also have 3 silkies, 10 wks, that I bring out to their own pen in the yard and Mama does not try to peck at them at all. Infact she'll choose to sweetly eat grass and bugs next to them.

JedJackson · Jun 20, 2021

So long as no one is being injured, leave them be. It is actually good that they are sorting out the pecking order while they are separated. It should make things a lot easier when they are put together.