Now I've done it !

[Amadorproducer]

I decided yesterday to "trade" our Gold Wyandott young brooder to a friend who was looking for a brooder in exchange for one of her egg layers, probably a year older than our hens. The result in the last 24 hours has been disasterous.
The new hen quickly became the alpha female (we don't have a rooster) and she won't let our 2 hens down in to the yard to eat and drink. While I figured there probably wouldn't be eggs for a while but our Rhode Island Red's butt if full of C.S.
Was this a bad idea? Any suggestions for this newbie are always appreciated.
Thanks In Advance
Michael

 

[Judy]

Usually the new guy is at the bottom of the pecking order, but what may have happened here is, she went for the leader position because of her age -- very often, the lead hen is older. And, usually the way you deal with a "bully" is to isolate her out of earshot for a week, so when she returns, she is at the bottom of the pecking order. But in this case, in effect you have already done that, simply by introducing her. The only thing I can think of is to wall her off from the others, as with chicken wire, so she can see and hear them but can't get at them, and let them live that way for at least a week, perhaps longer.

 

[Amadorproducer]

Thank you Judy,

 

[ChickCrazed]

Changing flock dynamic is always stressful for everyone involved but they usually do work it out. As long as there isn't blood being drawn I wouldn't worry too much. Separating them next to each to each other may help, but you may also be right back in the same situation in a week or so when you try integrating again. I would say try not to watch too closely for your own peace of mind!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

As has been recommended here before, don't mix older birds with younger birds and expect them to live together in harmony.

RHIP - or - Rank Has Its Privileges. In general. the older chicken has more rank.

Chickens don't behave like this because they are mean, anti-social, bullies, or because their mama hen abused them as chicks, they only behave like this because they are chickens.

In a few days I expect the situation to chill out once the new hen is secure in her new surroundings.

Let this be a lesson to everyone about buying or trading adult fowl on a whim.

However because your new Alpha hen will have more and better access to every resource, maybe she will lay more eggs than the one you traded.

 

[Amadorproducer]

UPDATE:
the trade didn't work out for either of us, so we traded back and no she is no longer brooding, and laying on a regular daily basis.
Newest issue is she has a "poop" butt for the 2nd time. we will clean her up but I am wondering what causes this. Any ideas very much appreciated.

Michael