Pecking Order and the new chook, when to interfere

[charlischooks]

Hello I have attached some pics of my chickens, but I have 3 around the 24 week mark, 1 RIR, 1 New Hampshire and 1 Australorp and I am trying (again) to introduce a 16 week old light sussex, so far I have the light sussex separated from the girls and in the coop i have netted off an area for her so she is still with them at night. Everything seems to be going ok at the moment. I was going to keep up this routine for a good week and then let her out. Does anyone have any suggestions for doing this, I am a big softie and I would hate to see her get hurt, I know she will get pecked at first.. but at what point do I interfere? And should I put one bird in with her at a time before letting her out into the garden? Just on the Light sussex she is as tall as my 24 week olds but not as big in the body... See pictures below of set up. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

 

[charlischooks]

Sorry I should have said we first got this light sussex at 9 weeks old and she was way too young to mix with these girls still making the cheep cheep noises and im sure my girls saw her as food!! So we phoned the breeder who said he would look after her until she was old enough (and big enough) to hold her own and she is now 16 weeks old

 

[Den in Penn]

If you have let them watch each other for a week you can take the next step and let the roam together during the day. If all goes well after another week or so try getting her in with the others full time. You let them go until you see blood. Sometimes the pecking can get intense. Leave a second feed and water out while they a getting to know each other to lessen bulling.