Newly introduced hen hiding for 5 days

[puddinbabe]

I've recently introduced a 5 month old hen to my other two hens. The new RIR is a little smaller than the other two, but not by much. Of course, the resident hens are giving her a hard time, chasing her and pecking feathers. So the new hen has decided to hide up on a shelf where I keep hay and where the hens lay their eggs (why would they want to use the boxes). She's been up there for 5 days. She'll jump down for a little while when its time for someone else to lay. I've been giving her a little food and water up there, but I don't want to encourage her. I can't close the area off as its the laying area. And everytime I bring her down she jumps right back up. I want her to feel safe, but I want to make sure she joins the other girls eventually.

Is this something I need to worry about or will it fix itself over time? I'm going out of town for 5 days next week and have someone feeding the hens, but they won't take as much time with the new girl as me.

Thanks for any input!

 

[chicken master]

She'll be fine in time.