Will adding a third hen make the first stop picking on the second?

[ookedama]

I have read other strings about pecking-order and meany chicks and I think I get it, but my husband insists that I ask THIS question...
Over a year ago we received a mature banty hen and roo. 6 months ago, el roo became too aggressive to my husband and other family animals (-:; so roo was relocated. We soon therafter brought in another hen, around 3 old months I reckon. We have had her for 5 months and in the beginning the older hen ignored her, then took her under wing somewhat - showed her the ropes, and now, a few months later is really mean to her - cornering her and pecking at her in the coop. Not all the time, other times they lay together quietly in the yard.

The question: Will introducing a whole new young lady in any way help the middle one??? Or will she simply transfer the beatings downstream?

Particulars - these are mixed breed banties. The older hen is no longer laying noticeably, the younger is laying regularly. They are free range all day and share a coop with a 3-nestbox house at night.

Thanks!

 

[Uppity Peon]

It really kind of depends on the hens. If the same hen stays dominant, at least she will have 2 others to pick on. If the new hen becomes dominant it could get even worse for the subdominant one. You just never know exactly how things will play out.

 

[ookedama]

Thanks UP, that was a well-put answer for me. (and backs up what I have trying to explain to my husband).