What to do about our RIR hen

[cyan23]

Hey everyone! We are new to chickens, this being our first year. In May we got 6 Isa Browns that were 4 wks old at the time. Our intention was to add to our flock, so we saw a great deal for 4 wk old black copper marans and favacuanas we purchased 8 of them - 4 each from a back yard flock in a subdivision. They also had a RIR hen that was already laying, so we got her as well. This was of course unwise as we have now learned. The reason they couldn't keep her was a limit on the number of chickens they could own, however hindsight tells me there was more to it than that. It's been a week and so far things have not gone well with the RIR hen. She was not part of their flock at her original home, should have been a red flag. At this point she follows our Isa Browns around, moved herself into their coop and pecks at them which they haven't done to each other very much. We do not want to cull her, but also want a happy balance to our flock. The younger chicks are doing awesome and have been kept separate from the older ones, but we do want to include them in the flock when they are older. We have a lot of space and a huge run. Any ideas, suggestions or insight would be very helpful. Specifically, at this point would it be in the best interest of our entire flock to cull this hen? Should we give it more time? thanks in advance.

 

[sezua]

As long as they are housed close enough that they can see or smell each other she should get used to them and vice versa. When they get big enough to protect themselves from her they can be joined. I have 3 month olds that are still getting chased by a 1 year old hen. But, they have enough space that they can get away from her and she is slowly chasing less and less each day. So, I would think things should get better.