new hen

[samsr]

i got a new hen today, a red cochin. She is older than my six others. They around 5 months. She is sround a year old. She seemed to be very sweet on the ride home. Then I let her in with my other chickens. She took controll of the coop very fast. She is quite agressive towards the other girls. Tonight I checked on them whil roosting in the coop. All six of my other hens were on one roost and she was alone on the other. I know this is a pecking order thing, but should I be worried? even in the run, where the new girl is the rest are not. If one of them gets close to her they soon get run off. She is definately the alpha hen at this point. I will see how they are in the morning.

 

[Kevin565]

I don't see any reason you should be worried. Sounds like fairly normal behavior to me.

 

[samanthajosling]

Maybe shes used to that in her last coop.She might be used to being the top.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Just give it time, she's new. It takes a while for new birds to fit into a flock, I usually give them a week or so of getting aquainted through a fence rather then just popping the new one in the coop. It helps that the other's are young. If they were all roosting in the same coop and on the roosts be glad! All will settle down eventually but there may be some pecking before that happens.

 

[samsr]

She is acting a bit more friendly today, Almost shy. I think she will fit in well, it will just take some time. I got her because her old owners had a coop thet got broken into by a bear the night before. She was the only one left. I think I would be grumpy too if that happened to me. Thanks for the words of wisdom and experience.