3 New Girls Including 1 Bully! Help!

[Cluckingbelle]

Hi All

We've just added 3 sweet hens to our family and they've settled in well. They are "second hand" and are healthy but the smallest one (Minnie) is a little madam and is picking on one of the other gals. They all lived together before we got them but I'm worried about Melly the one being picked on. Its only been 2 full days since they arrived but Melly spends most of her time on the high perches while the other two scratch around at the bottom of the run (which is quite large). Should I be worried at this early stage? Can I do anything to help Minnie and Melly coexist peacefully? I'll be letting them free range in the garden from next Saturday so I'm hoping that will help. I just worry about poor Melly's well being. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Minnie - black rock
Melly - barnevelder
Trixie - cream legbar

 

[chrismahon]

There will always be a bottom hen and always a top hen Cluckingbelle. Sure they will soon sort themselves out to the stage that a motion from the top hen will result in a lower hen just moving and not needing to be pecked.

 

[Cluckingbelle]

Thanks very much! I'll keep my fingers crossed! They've all put themselves to bed together now so hopefully each day will see an improvement in relations! Stay tuned!

 

[Chuck]

A move can cause the order to be upset but it's usually temporary.