New chicken gets bullied.

[Feathercloud]

I recently brought home a sweet chicken. I can pick her up without a problem, and when I brought her home on a 3-hour car ride, she didn't make a squawk. Her name is Icelynn ("Icy"). She's my favorite chicken in the world and tied with my bunny for my favorite animal in the world.
However, Icy is endlessly being bullied. I put her in her own coop with a fence so the other chickens could see her. Once it seemed like the other chickens had accepted her, I put two other chickens with her, one of them of Icy's breed. The chicken of her breed immediately grabbed her head feathers and pulled, and the other simply ignored her. I separated them, and now I feel like Icy should never be let out.
Is there some way I can stop the bullying? It's really annoying knowing such a sweet chicken is so hated! I know most new ones start at the bottom of the pecking order, but this seems extreme.

 

[3KillerBs]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

If she's been in the see-don't touch setup for at least a week, try adding just one other bird to her area. Not one of the bottom birds in the flock but not one of the top. A middle bird.

Let them bond for a time -- they might scuffle, but if there's not blood let them work it out. Then, when you let them into the flock they'll be buddies.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

I have been able to pick up my Salmon Fav because she is squatting. My Favorite hen attacked her as I put her down this morning. I think they feel your emotions too. I picked up Tess after she chased Phoebe off.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

How long did you allow them together before you put Icy back in her own coop again? In most cases there will be an initial squabble or two while they are sorting out the new pecking order. I agree that if they have already been introduced through the fence for awhile that unless your other hens are injuring icy the pecking order needs to be sorted before they will be able to get along.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Is there some way I can stop the bullying?

How old are all of them? Not just the newby but all of them. To me this sounds like she is an immature pullet put in with more mature chickens. That's different than when they are all the same level of maturity. If there is a maturity difference it may not be an overnight fix.

She is a single chicken being put in with a flock. That also makes it harder.

What do your facilities look like? How big, in feet or meters, are your coops and runs and how are they tied together? Photos showing how they are situated could be really helpful. It helps me to know what you are working with.

 

[Feathercloud]

I am really sorry, but i can't enclose photos, as this device is annoying when it comes to photos and I don't have access to BYC on others.
I never knew or measured, I am lazy.
There are some that are like three years and Icy I'd estimate is about 6 months?? So maybe it is the age difference?

 

[Matejka]

Thank you for your help and honesty.

 

[Feathercloud]

Thank you for your help and honesty.

Ya talking to me? TYSM!

 

[abenardini]

How long did you allow them together before you put Icy back in her own coop again? In most cases there will be an initial squabble or two while they are sorting out the new pecking order. I agree that if they have already been introduced through the fence for awhile that unless your other hens are injuring icy the pecking order needs to be sorted before they will be able to get along.

Definitely seconded. I would also recommend giving them scratch so they have something to do instead of focusing on each other. Another helpful thing I’ve done in the past is giving them some cover, so if they feel threatened, they can hide. Visual barriers of any kind are helpful as well in the run.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I understand about the photos. I'm having issues on other devices with photos, they've upgraded and improved the software so what used to work doesn't anymore. This happens regularly.

So maybe it is the age difference?

That's what I'm thinking. Is the pullet laying yet? Usually about the time mine start laying the adults accept them. If you can keep her safe for a while and try again it should work out. Patience.