PoultryTalk.com

would you mind if I picked your brains please?
Will give you a quick run down! We rehomed 3 10 month old girls 4 weeks ago, (rhode island)they settled in really well and began laying straight away.
Then last tuesday we bought 3 new girls (bovans silver, sussex ranger and a coral reef) kept them seperated from our older girls untill bed time, where they all went to bed without a problem. We had 3 very early wake ups but this has got better (4.30 am first morning, 7am today)
My main concern is we dont seem to be getting anywhere with the whole pecking order thing. The 3 new girls just sit in the bushes terrified! as soon as they come out to eat the older girls just chase them back into the bushes! I have out a extra feeder out and extra water but this has not helped! I am so concerned the new ones are not eating, I have seperated the run so they can get out, eat drink and gain some confidence. Is this the right thing to do? Or am I holding out them getting things sorted?
If you have any ideas I woud be gratefull

Yes this is the right thing to do. Seperating them means they can still see them but cant get to them. When you do introduce them again put vinegar in there water. You can also spray them with pecking spray or diluted vinegar. Hanging CDs up in the run distracts them and helps aswell.

H0pe this helps and good luck :)

Matt :P