Hen that was Bullied

[Orphingawesome]

Hi folks!
New here, but I've read a lot of threads through the years on here when I've needed information!
I bought some new hens to add to my flock, which has gone well, my flock is fairly tame with no real bullies. One of the hens I purchased I just felt awful for. She was being horribly bullied and was bald on her head and her hind. My flock has been leaving her alone so far and she stays a bit away unless I'm throwing treats. She's too scared to sleep on the roost with everyone, and I found her just huddled on the floor with one pullet. I have room to put up another small roost, would that help? Or are chances other hens would just move and she still wouldn't? The roost right now has about 5 feet empty, but there are birds behind as it's two tiered so I think that's the issue? Also I'm assuming she'll be naked in those areas until a molt??? Weight wise she's okay, no mites/lice etc, doesn't seem sick at all just a smaller hen. The coop she came from was extremely extremely crowded so I think that was the issue. I just feel bad for her so would like to make things better for her. Any advice would be great!
Thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

If you have photos you wish to share please do.

Sounds like things are going ok if she's not being picked on or bullied by the existing flock.

To me, she may actually have a buddy or perhaps is starting friendship if she's sleeping on the floor with a pullet. Once the pullet matures and begins to lay, she will likely begin finding her place within the pecking order and want to roost. This may be the time when your newbie begins to start thinking of roosting as well.

I can understand your thought process and feelings, it can be hard to be hands off at times. One thing I have learned over the years, chickens have a completely different thought process and social order than humans. Trying to fix things how we think they should be, very often can make things worse. I usually let them work things out on their own, in their own timeline and only intervene when there is bullying/fighting, a lot of drama.
That's my 2¢

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

Sweet girl! Unfortunately, this is not my wheelhouse, but I wish you the best of luck!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, Welcome to the forum! Glad you finally joined!

She's too scared to sleep on the roost with everyone, and I found her just huddled on the floor with one pullet. I have room to put up another small roost, would that help?

Personally I do not see anything wrong with them sleeping on the floor. Broody hens often sleep on the coop floor with their chicks under them, chicks sleep on the brooder floor if they are in a brooder, my chicks that are on their own often sleep on the floor until they are ready to roost, some Silkies or other chickens that can't fly often sleep on the floor their entire lives. It doesn't hurt them.

If you put up a roost that is lower than your others the other chickens are unlikely to use it. The two on the floor may use it, they may not.

I'm assuming she'll be naked in those areas until a molt???

Probably. If there is any part of the feather left in the socket she will not replace it until she molts. If all of the feather is gone she will replace that specific feather fairly soon.

To me, it sounds like things are going great. No one is getting hurt. That's all I ask for. As long as no one is getting hurt the other stuff will work out.