Which is worse being isolated and cold at night or risk of bullying?

[Chickie McFuzz]

I have one chicken, Gertrude, who had been alone for a couple years due to deaths of her flock mates. She got used to being a loner. Now I have 6 new hens that I am trying to get her integrated with. Gertrude free ranges in the yard all day. The others stay in the enclosed run unless I'm in the yard supervising. Gertrude has pecked at the others when they are all free ranging together. I have been putting the new girls inside the coop at night and leaving Gertrude in the run which is all enclosed. That way she's safe, but separated from the others at night just in case of bullying. Now it's gotten colder (30 F at night) and I'm worried about her in the run at night. Will she be warm enough? Is it worse to put her in the coop and risk bullying or risk her being too cold out by herself?

 

[Nyhillbillies]

I have one chicken, Gertrude, who had been alone for a couple years due to deaths of her flock mates. She got used to being a loner. Now I have 6 new hens that I am trying to get her integrated with. Gertrude free ranges in the yard all day. The others stay in the enclosed run unless I'm in the yard supervising. Gertrude has pecked at the others when they are all free ranging together. I have been putting the new girls inside the coop at night and leaving Gertrude in the run which is all enclosed. That way she's safe, but separated from the others at night just in case of bullying. Now it's gotten colder (30 F at night) and I'm worried about her in the run at night. Will she be warm enough? Is it worse to put her in the coop and risk bullying or risk her being too cold out by herself?

Is there a way to make a separate area for her in the coop, so she can be near the other girls but out of reach for nighttime?

 

[Nyhillbillies]

And is the pecking she does harmful or hurting the others? Drawing blood? Or just possessive of bugs or feed found?

 

[Nyhillbillies]

There are a few threads on bullying if you scroll down.

 

[Chickie McFuzz]

Is there a way to make a separate area for her in the coop, so she can be near the other girls but out of reach for nighttime?

I have a cat carrier I was considering putting her in and putting that inside the coop

 

[Chickie McFuzz]

And is the pecking she does harmful or hurting the others? Drawing blood? Or just possessive of bugs or feed found?

No blood, but I haven't allowed them to all be together without me watching them. If she starts pecking or chasing, I intervene.

 

[Chickie McFuzz]

No blood, but I haven't allowed them to all be together without me watching them. If she starts pecking or chasing, I intervene.

I'm a little paranoid I guess

 

[Nyhillbillies]

Not paranoid- cautious! Good chicken mom!
She is , I believe, asserting her authority over the new flock. She wants to be head hen. Does she kniw and respond to her name?

 

[Nyhillbillies]

Thats good thst you can spend time with them ss they get to know each other!

 

[Nyhillbillies]

Do you have a camera in the coop?