Pecking order? Or bullying

[coledabomb]

So we had 4 hens before and we wanted some ones that already started laying so we went to a feed store that was selling them (didn’t know age or breed) and we got 2 laying hens all we know is that there bantams and there laying. From the start I didn’t know you were supposed to quarantine them before you introduce them to the flock so I just put them together and everything seemed fine my hens aren’t aggressive at all so when I put them in the coop together the older hen pretended to peck at my Easter egger and she got scared and ran off. Well 2 day later I put them in the hen house for the night and the older one was pecking at the other laying hen on the neck multiple times where she was already baldish and the younger one was just laying next to her with her head and tail down not moving I kept them apart till it was darker so they could just sleep it off. Next morning I let them out and the younger ones comb was bleeding the others get an obvious pecking order peck to show them who’s boss (the new ones are WAY smaller than all 4 of the others and peck every single one except my Cornish cross ) so my question is is this just the pecking order because they were already together when we got them? Oh also the hen slept with the roosters (separated) in a cage one night because she wouldn’t stop pecking and the next day she’s doing the pre-mate shuffle what is happening you guys

 

[Silviaschicks]

If there’s a lot of feathers being packed and bleeding, you should get a no-pecking spray (in my experience isolation doesn’t really work.) I use Old MacDonald No Pecking Spray which has a gross grape smell that prevents the aggressors from attacking the weaker ones. I think it is most likely a pecking order problem because EEs tend to be near the bottom

 

[coledabomb]

If there’s a lot of feathers being packed and bleeding, you should get a no-pecking spray (in my experience isolation doesn’t really work.) I use Old MacDonald No Pecking Spray which has a gross grape smell that prevents the aggressors from attacking the weaker ones. I think it is most likely a pecking order problem because EEs tend to be near the bottom

Is there anything else I should try along with it or is it foolproof

 

[saysfaa]

I think it is territorial rather than pecking order. Forty years ago and more, the common knowledge was that you couldn't add birds to a flock or they would kill each other.

There is a way around that - the see, no touch method where they are prevented from killing each other by fencing but since they can see through the fence, Eventually, they get to where they see each other as part of the same flock. It is possible to put them together earlier in the process of accepting each other if they have enough space to avoid each other easily. Clutter, multiple feed and water sources that are out of reach - and preferably out of sight of each other also helps.

Covering up the blood helps too but I don't think it is enough by itself. It might stop them from pecking at the blood but it doesn't contribute to easing the problem.