Problem Integrating chicks

[LakeGirlHens]

I have a small flock of 3 hens. I got 3 chicks (sapphire gem, Americana and Easter Egger) 5/20/25. Around 7/4/25, I integrate the chicks into the run using the “see no touch method” keeping the chicks safe with hardware cloth protecting them from the 3 hens. 2 hens (Barred Rock and Leghorn) are fine around the chicks when I have briefly let them free range in a gated area. However, my buff hen is very mean and tried to attack the chicks every time I’ve tried introducing them without the hardware cloth separating them. The chicks are just about 13 weeks old and still separated day/night with hardware cloth. (A bit of background - the buff was badly injury but a bully hen last March and I rehomed the bully without any problems with the hens after that. Also, the buff has gone broody 3 times since I got the chicks. She is so hormonal and was never like this until I got the chicks.) My coop is 4 x 6 with 10 x 12 run attached to the coop and when I’m home I also let the hens out out the yard via 23 foot chicken tunnel attached to the run so they have plenty of space. They do not “free range” because of predators (foxes, eagles and hawks). I don’t want to re-home the buff but I don’t want her to injury the 13 week old chicks either especially since she is the largest bird. Any other tips on how to integrate them?

 

[thecatumbrella]

Can you be more specific as to how the buff is treating them? Does she just want them out of her personal bubble, or is she persistently chasing them around the run?

Even though a 10x12 run sounds spacious for six chickens, it's still on the smaller side (I started with a 9x12 myself). Multiple feeders, waterers, and clutter are your friend. The younger pullets need to be able to get away and hide. The fact that your buff was previously bullied suggests she's at the bottom of the pecking order. Those are the birds that are most problematic during integration. They don't want to lose their ranking to the new guys! So I wouldn't rehome her unless she was causing injuries and you were hitting a dead-end with attempting to integrate.

Feel free to post more pictures of the run space, and we can try to give suggestions. Your new pullets are adorable, by the way!

 

[LakeGirlHens]

Can you be more specific as to how the buff is treating them? Does she just want them out of her personal bubble, or is she persistently chasing them around the run?

Even though a 10x12 run sounds spacious for six chickens, it's still on the smaller side (I started with a 9x12 myself). Multiple feeders, waterers, and clutter are your friend. The younger pullets need to be able to get away and hide. The fact that your buff was previously bullied suggests she's at the bottom of the pecking order. Those are the birds that are most problematic during integration. They don't want to lose their ranking to the new guys! So I wouldn't rehome her unless she was causing injuries and you were hitting a dead-end with attempting to integrate.

Feel free to post more pictures of the run space, and we can try to give suggestions. Your new pullets are adorable, by the way!

The buff chases them down and lunges at them. In fact today, I was holding a baby and the buff jumped up and tried to attack the baby in my arms so I put out my hand to protect the baby and the buff bit my hand. She’s never bitten me…not even a peck. The other times I’ve tried to introduce the buff I opened the run door so they could go in/out of the run and I had 12x6 area gated off in front of the run so they could go back and fourth (kinda like a playpen or a doggy fence in front of the run.) The buff charged the babies and tried to peck them so I stepped in and separated the babies. I have let the babies around the other two hens while my buff was in broody jail. They leghorn and barred rock got along fine with the babies… normal chicken interactions. Should I try putting the buff in jail/dog crate next to the action and let everyone else out to roam between the playpen and run?