Sole hen in coop, was bully. Need appropriate 2nd or 3rd hen

[Birdielee]

I've had my hen about 2 weeks. She's great with us humans, but she almost killed a barred rock hen at her old house. And hated an ISA brown, and didn't like this one or that one in the 6 hen flock. She did get along with some hens , said her previous owner.
She recommended a submissive hen, definitely not smaller than mine.

My hen is Ellis, a buff orpington/black australorp

 

[Birdielee]

Do you think that would work out, a submissive hen? Or maybe she needs a rooster to control the situation. (I don't suppose i could keep a rooster long. Dont think I'm allowed to. But i dont have a problem with a cockerel or 2 to grow out until they start crowing, then eat. Maybe they wouldn't do the job of making her behave at a young age, though?)

Or maybe i should get a bird larger than her.

I'm figuring on 1 or 2 buff orpingtons. I think i would like a light sussex but i dont see them available. I don't want to see her beat up on the sweet bird i buy.
Others are definitely possibilities, but i feel limited by the same size, same age guideline i keep reading.
She's 7 mos.
Ideally, I'd like them to be different ages, so my flock can keep going..
Any thoughts or insight?

 

[Birdielee]

I think 2 birds is enough eggs for my family. This one gives about 6 eggs a week. No complaints there.
The coop is elevated 2 1/2 feet off the ground. The size is 6x2.5 feet (15 square ft), the run is about 12x6, something like 54 square ft , plus the 15 under the coop. The run is fenced with solid wood on one side, wire otherwise. A level 2x4 perch runs the length inside the coop, and a slightly inclined 2x4 runs the length of the run, about 3-4 ft up. Dirt floor which did have a lot more plants 2 weeks ago. Ellis goes out to the mulch pile most days, too.

 

[Chicken101-07]

If you buy a submissive hen for her it would only make it worst,it would just encourage the attacking behavior even more,a cockerel starts crowing at around 6 months old...I would buy a hen that's older and or larger than her

 

[Birdielee]

Would a one year old more likely be ok, even if an 18week old were not?

 

[Birdielee]

Ok. Thanks.

 

[Birdielee]

I didn't see your reply before i posted again

 

[Birdielee]

Now my other question is how to know who I'm buying. I may get a buff orpington, and she may be super laid back, like would maybe be expected, or I might get a different personality. How do i look at a flock and tell the difference? Or if she's singled out, how can I more likely get a hen who will get along with this one i have? And lay a bunch of eggs

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd approach this differently - she might be an outlier who just doesn't like other birds, if she's constantly attacking them. She might be best off as a solo bird. If that's the case, AND you choose to get another bird (2 would be better), have a backup plan in case things blow up, for example:

- building her a separate set up within sight of the other birds, but with her living alone
- get the person selling the new birds agree to let you return the new additions if they don't work out

 

[aart]

She's great with us humans, but she almost killed a barred rock hen at her old house. And hated an ISA brown, and didn't like this one or that one in the 6 hen flock.

Sounds like you bought a bully /aggressive bird.
Gonna be hard to find her flock mates.