How to introduce a hen and her chicks to the flock?

[bobbi-j]

I would let them work it out. Watch them, of course, if you have time, but let them deal with it. I agree with you that it's probably a pecking order thing.

 

[snywalker]

He would approach her in attack mode, puffed up and aggressive. She would react and stand her ground and the fight was on! He didn't even get more than a few feathers out of her before I intervened. Normally I would stand back and watch, letting them figure it out themselves, but he is a  larger rooster around 8 lbs (calling him that as he has begun doing the rooster jobs, I do understand he isn't technically a rooster yet) and she is on the smaller side around 5. I didn't want him to severely hurt her and have more chicks to raise indoors as well as an injured chick.

I agree. Since he was introduced after she went broody. I would probably refer to him as a rooster (mainly because I wouldn't want to explain what a cockerel is). What people are saying is that he is young. Sometimes they can be hormonal and act out (like a teenager).

It's probably best to watch and let them work it out. Because you want them integrated before mama feel like she doesn't need to be with them all the time.