New addition to the flock is beating up ALL of them

CluckNDoodle

Hatchaholic
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Jan 12, 2019
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I need some help. This is the exact opposite of what I expected to happen. I've integrated plenty of chickens to the flock at this point but this is the first time this has happened. I have a docile flock so it's pretty easy to add new chickens. I have them housed side by side for a few days where they can see each other and chatter but not touch and then I free range them when I start trying to mingle and sometimes still coop them separately at night until everyone is settled...well, I usually integrate at least two so they have a friend while working things out but one of the two chickens I just added is beating up ALL 11 of my other chickens! Drawing blood and pulling out feathers even. She kept pecking a hen that was trying to hide under a wheel barrel. She was my friend's chicken, this wasn't happening before as far as I know. Will this stop??? Should I take her back? I don't want an aggressive chicken.
 
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I need some help. This is the exact opposite of what I expected to happen. I've integrated plenty of chickens to the flock at this point but this is the first time this has happened. I have a docile flock so it's pretty easy to add new chickens. I have them housed side by side for a few days where they can see each other and chatter but not touch and then i free range them when iistsrt to mingle and sometimes to coop them separately at night until everyone is settled...well, I usually integrate at least two so they have a friend while working things out but one of the two chickens I just added it beating up ALL 11 of the other chickens! Drawing blood and pulling out feathers even. She kept pecking a hen that was trying to hide under a wheel barrel. She was my friend's chicken, this wasn't happening before as far as I know. Will this stop??? Should I take her back? I don't want an aggressive chicken.
Is the new comer the same breed?
If not, take her back.
 
Did this friend give her away possibly because she was mean to other hens? Have you told your friend about it?
I think you should keep her separated for now, I worry she could severely hurt one of your docile hens.
Are you sure this hen is really a hen and not a cockerel?
 
Did this friend give her away possibly because she was mean to other hens? Have you told your friend about it?
I think you should keep her separated for now, I worry she could severely hurt one of your docile hens.
Are you sure this hen is really a hen and not a cockerel?

Definitely a hen, she laid an egg. She's not being aggressive toward the other chicken I brought with her which is why I'm hoping it will stop but I'm not sure I want to keep her at this point...the other chicken did the typical drop kick a couple times and has been sweet otherwise. I'm waiting for my friend to call me back. She didn't know about it if this was already an issue, she's a good friend and wouldn't do that but she has a farm and it's possible she didn't know because she's not as one on one with her chickens as I am.
They have an acre to stay away from each other for now but if I see it happen again I'm locking her away in the pen until I at least get some pinless peepers.
Thank you everyone for the quick resposes! I panicked when my babies were being beat up.
 
I still have her for the time being, she's not being quite as aggressive but still isn't nice and still pounces if another chicken gets too close. She's the orange one on the right. I find it really odd that she's being so nice to this little bantam though! Not a single issue with her...I wish there was a chicken psychology course I could take to better understand what is going on in her little chicken head. Lol
Since I plan on adding more chickens to my flock in a few months I'll still be taking her back to my friend's farm as soon as I'm able to. I don't want this to happen with every new chicken even if she does relax.
I believe she's a red sex link, is this a common issue? I've avoided RIRs because I was told they're harsh toward other breeds and I believe red sex links are a cross of some sort...
As comical as it is, my daughter wanted an orange chicken that looked a big like Debbie off of the new Lost In Space on Netflix...well this Debbie is certainly a survivor. Lol, or thinks she's fighting for her life anyway. :rolleyes:

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