New hen is the bully!

[squelchy69]

Today we decided to add a hen to our very small flock of 3. We have a very small garden but have built a reasonable sized run and our original 3 seemed very happy so we thought we'd add. We were prepared for the newbie to be bullied and bought a special spray to spray them all with so they smelt the same. We did this but they still don't seem keen on each other. In fact the new hen seems to be scaring the original hens. She has pecked them and taken food from them. Nothing drastic but the original hens seem to now be giving the new one a wide birth as much as possible. I was prepared for the new one to be bullied but not vice versa. I'm not sure what we can do. We can't keep them separate as the garden is too small. I'm now concerned that the original hens may even be scared off laying. They are very noisy too. Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[PamB]

Quote:
I think that if all that is happening is some pecking, you are in good shape. They will have to establish pecking order again, but as long as noone is bleeding or getting picked on constantly, you need to just let them work it out. If they are scared off laying, that won't last forever. Things will settle down and get back to normal. This could take just a couple days or up to a few weeks. Good luck!

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

If there is just pecking, growling, and chasing going on without major bloodshed, then that's normal peck-order. You're going to have to just wait it out until they get pecking order established.

 

[squelchy69]

Thanks for the advice. It's nothing too drastic. Just a bit of pecking really. And not constantly. They are staying out of each others ways really. In the uk it's evening and they have all taken themselves off to bed in the coop. It took a little while as the newbie and one of the originals didn't seem keen on going in together. But they did and a little check about an hour ago showed them all seeming pretty happy and relaxed. We shall see what tomorrow brings. Thanks again.