Chick integration to established flock-concerned about one of the older gals.

[lilgertcharm]

My older girls have a solid pecking order (5 Girls about 3yrs old) with the head hen being quite chill, never mean or overly aggressive with the others. My new girls (3 of them) are about 8weeks, are in a small coop & run inside the big run. Separate and safe within full view of the older girls. All of the big girls are happy to walk around and live with the babies around- except one.
My bottom hen (Betty) has been pacing by the babies & pecking at their cage & she looks not friendly. She seems very aggressive and will puff her neck feathers at them. I was thinking she might just want to show them who’s boss & establish she’s not going to be bottom hen with these guys around but I’m concerned she may be too aggressive & hurt the littles.
My plan is to keep the littles separate & in sight for a few weeks still and supervised free time then introduce them in night with the big ones. Looking for suggestions on what to do about Betty.
New chicken mom. They are pets.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That can be normal sometimes. I would start supervised mingling and see how it goes. Round them up after a bit or if things get too rough and try again the next day. You won't know until you see what this hen wants to do.

I wouldn't let them out unsupervised until they are being completely ignored. It can help to have places for chicks to slip under or through in case they need to escape. Older hens accept young chicks pretty easily as it's normal for them to show up in a flock.

Hopefully once this hen pecks a few and sees they aren't a threat to her position she will let them be.