Hey everyone! We recently introduced new chicks to our one egg laying Hen. Before this she would lay next to their brooder area and they would chirp with each other. But when we let them out on their own she was fine at first but then started chasing the chicks. And will sneak up on them while they are dust bathing and make them scatter, now they are scared of her. I'm nervous that she won't warm up to them before they all are going to be in their new coop together. Any ideas or thoughts would be much appreciated! Thanks!
That's normal, she's showing them who's boss and that she owns everything, before you let them out her personal space wasn't an issue, now she has to stake her claim. It will lessen up as the weeks go on, and soon she will mostly ignore them or join their flock depending on her wishes.
Being she is older she will be top hen till the younger birds mature..Pecking order changes as birds mature..All very normal behaviour... They will figure it out... Enjoy the Birds...
I'm going to take a wild guess here. Is your egg-laying hen under a year old? If so, she's immature as far as pecking order dynamics, and her automatic reflex is to chase and annoy the chicks. This is normal, and she will tire of the game in a few months. As far as the chicks being afraid of her, that's normal, too. In a year, all will be a happy flock.
