I'm trying to slowly introduce my 8.5-week old EE chicks to my flock of 6 hens. They've been in a dog kennel in the coop for about 3-4 weeks and are starting to get really bored and pooping WAY too much for such a small space. I've let the out in the yard (free ranging) with the big girls a couple of times with a few minor confrontations (a face-to-face stare down and a peck to the face from one of the big girls), but generally OK. Earlier this week one of my RIRs chased one of the chicks and took a little bit of tail fluff. This morning when I let the chicks out, the same RIR demonstrated she's hell-bent on getting these chicks. She stalked and chased them several times- grabbing tail feathers as they ran in the other direction. She's pretty relentless. Each time (for fear of the chicks getting hurt) I've interceded and moved the hen elsewhere.
Should I just let them figure it out? Will she ever come to terms with them, or is there a chance this just won't work?
Should I just let them figure it out? Will she ever come to terms with them, or is there a chance this just won't work?