The process of integrating chicken groups takes time. If you rush it, sticking hens from different flocks together expecting them to all get along, you are going to have backlash. I have three groups of three Silkies. One was hatched in early April, another in late April and the last in May. You would not think that two weeks could make a difference in the pecking order but it appears to. Also some are more aggressive and may be roosters, which fuels their need to dominate. 

For the last few days I have had six in one pen and three in another close enough that they could see each other. This morning I took the plunge and put them together. 

They were not as friendly as I had hoped. After a few minutes of disturbingly vicious pecking I decided to call the experiment quits. I put the three newbies back in the smaller pen.

Immediately they started their breakfast. I took it to mean that hunger is less important than safety. No one is going to make themselves vulnerable by keeping their heads in a food dish when there are chickens at your back ready to strike. But as soon as they felt the threat had abated, they chowed down.

Safety is an element in relationships. If you feel tenuous about expressing your feelings, or needs, it can be an obstacle for further connection. There are times when I say I am fine even though I am not.  Probably the same is true of John. 

One day I aspire to be cured of peckishness, so that John and my kids can feel safe enough to come out of hiding. Then it will be possible to nourish them.