Pecking order with 2 chickens

[LLL]

Hi As I have shared in the past I "had" 2 chickens. I lost RIR to a predator leaving me with 1 EE. This 1 EE was alone for almost 3 months. I recently bought another young adult RIR, kept her in a kennel for 5 days before introducing them last night. The EE started pecking at her but eventually went to bed. The RIR tried to go into the coop with her and there was some minor scuffling with the RIR coming out 3 times. On the 4th time she stayed in for the night! Today RIR stayed in the coop for several hours and clearly is afraid of the EE who pecks at her when she gets near food or anywhere near her for that matter. I put out an extra tray of food but the EE will go to whatever dish she is feeding from and peck at her. I have to tell you this is tough to watch! I got the other chicken because everyone was telling me she shouldn't be alone but she clearly isn't appreciating her new friend I also found several RIR feathers in the coop where the EE must have been after her. To complicate things I also have 2 one month old ISA Browns which will eventually be incorporated into the group of 2. My question-- when will this stop? Is it worse because there is only 2? Reconsidering as I am new to this if I got in over my head. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and thank you in advance for your replies.

 

[red horse ranch]

Try keeping the EE in the kennel for a while. When I have 2 birds fighting it's the aggressor who goes to 'jail'.

 

[aart]

Try keeping the EE in the kennel for a while.

Yeppers!
Do some 'chicken juggling' by moving them back and forth between enclosures.

Also try more than 2 of each feeders and waterers.
How big are your coop and run?
Dimensions and pics would help us help you figure some solutions.
So you have hiding places(see 'basics' below)?

By 'kennel' do you mean a wire crate?
Those can be very handy.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rates-a-good-tool-for-every-chickeneer.72619/

Where are the chicks living?
Would be good to house them next to the other birds too.
Might distract the older birds from fighting.
I integrate chicks young.
Here's another great way to set up a crate for chick integration:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...chicks-with-adult-hens.1244000/#post-19962696

Then there are the.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[LLL]

Thank you so much for taking the time to help. This was really good advice and is much appreciated.