New pullet introduced to single hen

[LisaRN]

We had 3 backyard hens, and over the last year2 passed away. We just got a 15 week old pullet and the old chicken is being very aggressive to her. Any advice on successfully introducing a single pullet to a single hen?

 

[Bear1978]

Keep them separated for a while. See but no touch.

That’s all I got. It’s just what most ppl have said when giving advice about this. I haven’t had that issue yet but I’m sure someone will come along and expound on my simplistic answer. Lol

 

[lovesfarms]

I feel for you! I had Ralph & Norton. The neighbors dog killed Ralph.. I almost got depressed seeing Norton so depressed. I got 3 more pullets.Norton was so mean, I put a temp fence around my garden for the pullets, at least they could eat! I went in the house for just a minute.When I came out again the pullets had disappeared.... However they did it,they were back in the fence with Norton. They wanted to be together. They got separate feeders. Norton went into a molt-or from stress and was naked in the cold weather-her skin shone red under a couple white feathers. I couldn't put them together in a box in the basement cause Norton knocked on them. It was too cold featherless outside. The pullets slept in a box beside Norton's box-Norton could have pecked then but as long as they each had there own box them were fine. But Norton would get agitated without the pullets. Through it all I learned nature had to take it's course. It was rough but they wanted each other. Good luck... It can be done with persistence

 

[LisaRN]

I feel for you! I had Ralph & Norton. The neighbors dog killed Ralph.. I almost got depressed seeing Norton so depressed. I got 3 more pullets.Norton was so mean, I put a temp fence around my garden for the pullets, at least they could eat! I went in the house for just a minute.When I came out again the pullets had disappeared.... However they did it,they were back in the fence with Norton. They wanted to be together. They got separate feeders. Norton went into a molt-or from stress and was naked in the cold weather-her skin shone red under a couple white feathers. I couldn't put them together in a box in the basement cause Norton knocked on them. It was too cold featherless outside. The pullets slept in a box beside Norton's box-Norton could have pecked then but as long as they each had there own box them were fine. But Norton would get agitated without the pullets. Through it all I learned nature had to take it's course. It was rough but they wanted each other. Good luck... It can be done with persistence

Thank you! My pepper is so sweet I hate to see her being mean to the new member. She was so lonely, always sitting by our sliding glass door once she was the only one left. How long do you think it took for them to be acclimated?

 

[LisaRN]

Keep them separated for a while. See but no touch.

That’s all I got. It’s just what most ppl have said when giving advice about this. I haven’t had that issue yet but I’m sure someone will come along and expound on my simplistic answer. Lol

Thank you for the response! My original hen is so nice to us, it is so hard to see her being mean to the new member.

 

[aart]

This is totally normal, chickens are not just plug and play.
No matter how 'sweet' they can be, there is the darker side.

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

As might these tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

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/