ex battery hen pecking the 26 weeks old pullets

Hi,

When introducing new chickens there will always be a level of pecking that goes on whilst they sort out who's boss. This can take a few weeks and will never totally disappear. I always put my new hens in an adjacent run for a week so they get a bit more used to each other. Its also important that they have enough space so they can escape if needed.

If they start to draw blood I would consider alternative runs.

I have never had pecking before until this winter and now my cockerels are really getting picked on!! The bullies don't do it to other hens though as they fight back!!! Have tried seperation and sprays and nothing seems to work - reading previous messages do I just have to leave them to it and monitor them to make sure blood isn't drawn??? Also could this have started beacause of the freezing weather with the ground to solid to peck or scratch anf therfore causing bordness??