Had a very traumatic experience with my chickens over the weekend.
I have three young (about 4 month old) Copper Star hens and wished to add a couple of 18 week old Rhode Island Reds, which I duly did on Saturday just past.
I did what I thought was sensible by adding them to the coup just after dusk, as I thought they would be unlikely to fight after dark.
WelI, I was expecting some kind of reaction from the existing birds whilst 'pecking order' was being established, but what transpired was nothing short of vicious cruelty from them, absolutely terrorising these poor young RIRs.
After finding one in the nest box with its head buried deeply in the corner and trembling, I called a halt to it and separated them.
They have now been returned to the poultry breeder I bought them from, who kindly agreed to have them back.
Anyone else has a similar experience?