New cockerel

Ann792

In the Brooder
Jun 3, 2020
5
28
28
Swansea S Wales
I have been given a young cockerel, he was the bottom of the pecking order in his old flock, he has been with me for six days, all been fine happy to go into the coop together from day one. I noticed yesterday that my original top of the pecking order hen was hiding on her own, when I spent some time with her and got her to come out with the others the cockerel started chasing and pecking her, she went back to her safe place. Last night I found her outside the coop when all the others had gone to bed . Should I do anything or let them sort it out on they’r own ?
 
How old are these birds, in months?
How many females?
How big are coop and run, in meters by meters?
Dimensions and pics might help here.

As long as there's no bloodshed and everyone's is getting enough to eat and drink and rest, let them work it out.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/
 
I would give it a week. Generally speaking, it is much better to let them work it out on their own.

I would add places in the run that she can get away from him. Hideouts such as mini walls, roosts, ladders or saw horses, platforms, and hidden feed bowls, where a bird eating there is out of sight of birds at the other feed bowl.

Mrs K
 

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