I have 4 NH reds hens that are 2 years old. I recently "received" a Buff Orpington that is 6 months old and just starting to lay. The Orpington is larger then all of the other birds already.
Faced with challenge of integrating the new girl into the flock, I decided to put her in a small coop within the run. Here she is protected from the others, yet they see each other all day long.
It has been 9 days now and I decided it was time to see if they were ready for the assimilation.
I released the Orpington into the run and within seconds all 4 of the reds where on her. Literally, jumping on her back to try and hold her down while they pecked. They all attacked together. No blood was drawn as I broke it up before it could get that far, but a lot of feathers where pulled out.
I am looking for advice on what to do next. She has to join the group as some point, and most of what I read tells me a week of "see but no touch" is the recommended approach, but obviously, all this did was to cause the older girls to think "just wait till you get out". I have read that the first introduction can be vicious but the thought of all 4 attacking relentlessly seems beyond what I would be expected even when teaching her the pecking order.
The Orpington seems much more even tempered then the reds and seems surprised that anyone would go after her.
Please help!
Faced with challenge of integrating the new girl into the flock, I decided to put her in a small coop within the run. Here she is protected from the others, yet they see each other all day long.
It has been 9 days now and I decided it was time to see if they were ready for the assimilation.
I released the Orpington into the run and within seconds all 4 of the reds where on her. Literally, jumping on her back to try and hold her down while they pecked. They all attacked together. No blood was drawn as I broke it up before it could get that far, but a lot of feathers where pulled out.
I am looking for advice on what to do next. She has to join the group as some point, and most of what I read tells me a week of "see but no touch" is the recommended approach, but obviously, all this did was to cause the older girls to think "just wait till you get out". I have read that the first introduction can be vicious but the thought of all 4 attacking relentlessly seems beyond what I would be expected even when teaching her the pecking order.
The Orpington seems much more even tempered then the reds and seems surprised that anyone would go after her.
Please help!