Rooster head pecking new pullet

I have a 6 week old rooster and (4) 5 week old pullets (All red sex links). Yesterday someone gave me (2) two week old Gold-laced Wyandottes. The pullets all got along lovely. The rooster, however, has taken to pecking the head of one of the new pullets. I'm very new to raising chickens and maybe shouldn't have adopted the additional pullets (I'm a sucker for animals in need). I've separated both Wyandottes from the rest of the flock, however, I'm concerned about how and when to try introducing them to the rest of the flock again. I don't want the girls to take the roo's lead and start pecking. It was only one of the two Wyandottes he was doing it to and it start almost immediately upon introduction. I read somewhere that chickens will peck at chickens of a different color. It didn't seem like the roo's pecking was just him asserting his dominance, but again, I'm a newbie and only know what I've read and experienced over the past 5 weeks.

I've read Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens several times as well as Chickens in your Backyard. It didn't really cover how to resolve head pecking of a pullet by a rooster.

I attached a picture of Roaster the rooster, Hanna and Pixie the two fluffy buff colored (Pixie has the longer tail feathers) and Zelda and Henrietta the brown and white spotted. (Zelda is the darker brown).

What pretty chickens.
New chickens added to existing ones always tend to get pecked at till they all learn the pecking order. It is hard to see them get pecked but usually once the existing ones find that the new ones are part of the "flock" they let up some. The roo of course will be a little more aggressive even at that young age.

Thanks Smedgekles. I'll try putting them together again tomorrow and see what happens. Hopefully it won't last long and the new ones don't get hurt. I haven't given the new ones names yet. I'm waiting to see how it all works out. I'll have to post pictures of the Wyandottes when I get a chance. They are so pretty.

We have had a brood of babies hatching over the last several months. We had several that were close together in age but different mamas. When the mamas decided it was time to abandon the babies we put them together in the same pen. We had one that was feathering very different than the others and they decided to peck at that one. I felt bad for the little thing so I took it and its sibling back out and put them in a pen right next to the others so they could get used to one another. I was hoping once I put them back in they wouldn't peck it so much. I left them next to the pen for about a week and then put them back in with the group. They still peck at it some but I don't think it is as bad as it was, they all seem to be getting along a lot better.

You're a mind reader too? I was thinking about problem last night and thought i'd try sectioning off part of the run just for the little ones so they could be with the rest but protected from them as well. I'm making it my next chore on the list. Thanks, I'll let you know how it all works out.

Well that was my advice too seems like we are all on the same page today LOL :o)

Great minds think alike.

Ms Juris!! Often times the best solution to pecking is to make sure the victims have plenty of escape routes, and eventually they will be accepted and the escape routes no longer are needed. Sectioning can be good but I personally would only use it in extreme cases. The girls must have time to sort things out on their own. I wish you every success and have a great day. Haystack

Haystack, I see your point. They have to learn to work it out and get along. Unfortunately, I'm the one who is too "chicken" to let them work it out themselves. I feel compelled to rescue anything in distress (which is how I got the two new pullets to begin with). Thank you for the advice. Your imput is always appreciated.

Well at least you have a great sense of humor, and I can surely relate to what you are saying. I remember my first very small flock of six. I hovered over them even though I later found out they manage well without me. I hope you have a very good time with you flock, You sound like a very loving care taker. Good success. Haystack.