New hen being mean?

[hmlent]

Yesterday I added a laying hen to my flock of five younger pullets. The five I had are 9 or 10 weeks old. The new hen isn’t hurting them much, although she will peck them if they come too close to her, but she mostly chases them away from the food and water. They are terrified of her! They did okay in the coop and the hen laid an egg, but as soon as they all saw each other this morning, the frenzy started again.

Is this just how it’ll be for a while or is there some way to help? Would it help to clip her wings and let them all free range for a while?

 

[hmlent]

I should also say that she came from a farm where she was probably used to running wild all the time, but seemed stressed. She’s missing almost all of her tail feathers and back feathers. I’m thinking she was around a few roosters on the daily. She makes this weird sound, definitely not a cluck, just sounds like she’s stressed.

 

[Ralph Obrien]

Sounds like she is going to be boss and there will always be a boss hen our roaster in every flock . As a rule this will go on tell they learn she is boss .They are birds and don't live by our rules .But this said some time some hens are just mean . Best to watch them as long as it is not a knock down battle it should all work out for you and them .