a week ago last night i put in 2 new hens (Barred Rock & Ameraucana 5-6 months old ) with my other 6 RIR's I got the week before so everyone is relatively new. However, one hen in particular ( i have named her Newman like the character from Seinfeld because she is THAT pesky) keeps going after the new hens, trying but failing to pull out feathers and peck but not drawing any blood.
i have tried putting her in a dog crate in the coop for a few days to chill out but she goes right back to being nasty. she is also one of my most consistent layers and the new hens arent laying yet so i am torn. the flock dynamic without newman is completely different, peaceful, quiet, and everyone seems to get along.
it seems like the new hens are always looking over their shoulders for the RIRs to push them out of the way of treats, corn, etc. and the new ones always retreat to the coop for solace.
also, when newman is in the dog crate, she knocks everything over, including her water and food dish I have on bricks...
I guess I am asking for advice on what to do to alleviate a stressful situation for everyone (including me)...
They also have been laying less...could this be due to all the dark and gloomy rainy days the past few days? stress? less light in coop?
Trying to get them to lay in nesting boxes with golf balls and they scratch them to the side, sleep in there, and then lay on the floor!
I am new to all this so any and all suggestions are appreciated!!!
i have tried putting her in a dog crate in the coop for a few days to chill out but she goes right back to being nasty. she is also one of my most consistent layers and the new hens arent laying yet so i am torn. the flock dynamic without newman is completely different, peaceful, quiet, and everyone seems to get along.
it seems like the new hens are always looking over their shoulders for the RIRs to push them out of the way of treats, corn, etc. and the new ones always retreat to the coop for solace.
also, when newman is in the dog crate, she knocks everything over, including her water and food dish I have on bricks...
I guess I am asking for advice on what to do to alleviate a stressful situation for everyone (including me)...
They also have been laying less...could this be due to all the dark and gloomy rainy days the past few days? stress? less light in coop?
Trying to get them to lay in nesting boxes with golf balls and they scratch them to the side, sleep in there, and then lay on the floor!
I am new to all this so any and all suggestions are appreciated!!!