What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[Fizzle Knit]

Collected 2 new hens today to join our current 3 after Lucky died this week. Have looked at the advice on here, and spoke to the lady at Merrydale, so following the advice to keep the newbies in the run during the day and put the oldies to bed first followed by newbies.

Problem is that I seem to have a problem with one newbie bullying the other. (rather than oldies versus newbies)

Just now I went out to give them all some corn and put it in the run and just outside so they could all enjoy together. Newbie 2 - Laura - was in the hen house so I persuaded her into the run to share the corn but as soon as she went down there Newbie 2 - Nico - pecked at her and made Laura return to the house. Laura tried to come out a few more times - more aggression from Nico. I got some corn and put a little in the hen house - but that has had the effect of Nico going up there, standing in the entrance so Laura can't get out and eating that corn too!

Any ideas fom anyone?

I guess I should just suck it and see - can't separate the newbies from each other AND from the others but I am worried about Laura now.

[Egluntyne]

Can you divide the run somehow during the day so that they can see each other without her being able to peck Laura?

[Snowy]

It is common for the newbies to fight amongst themselves at first, but it is likely to be less aggressive than the older ones attacking the new ones. I'd leave Laura and Nico to it, just make sure that there is food and water both ends of the run so Laura doesn't miss out. It should settle down fairly quickly.

[Fizzle Knit]

Thanks for the advice both of you Nico and Laura have spent the day in the run today, and I put food and drink at both ends, and things seem a little better. Last night was fine - put all 5 into the house together and they all seemed to be OK, so, as you say, I'm sure things will work out.