Scaredy hen

[FaithVondras987]

so my chicken has been a single chicken since last summer, I decided to hatch some chicks for her to have company..... she’s been raised around cats and dogs and never been around any other chicken...... I showed the 3 week old chicks to her and she seems terrified, she screamed and ran away..... she is curious about them but never tries to harm them in any way, I was wondering why she is scared of other chickens? Is it because she doesn’t realize she is a chicken even though she acts like one and lay eggs or is there something more

 

[N F C]

I would guess since she's never been around other chickens, the chicks are an unknown to her. Anything "new" seems to scare my birds.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

They're called chickens for a reason!!! Mine can be such scaredy cats!!!!

 

[FaithVondras987]

I’m trying to get her use to them, in a week or 2 I plan on moving them over to the coop. I had them in there last night for a few minutes under my watch, she let them climb on her. But then she got scared and ran to the other side of the coop. Is there a way to help her or is what I’m doing the best way. The chicks seem to like her.

 

[N F C]

Since she isn't hurting them, I'd just give it time. Keep an eye on everyone and just let them all adjust.

 

[FaithVondras987]

Since she isn't hurting them, I'd just give it time. Keep an eye on everyone and just let them all adjust.

Ok, I have them in a brooder in the house and on nice warm days I let them outside to learn about the outside world. I’m happy she isn’t hurting them, hopefully I can move them in there with her by the end of the month.

 

[Chickassan]

This, anything new at all is met with curiosity, terror or a happy mix.
Also some birds are just a little more naturally "cautious".
One here bolted from her own babies and she has a whole flock so she knows what she is but those menacing puffs under her belly were just too much to handle.

Since she isn't hurting them, I'd just give it time. Keep an eye on everyone and just let them all adjust.

 

[FaithVondras987]

A picture of the chicks, and a picture of the first meeting in the coop. After they got of she screamed and ran to the other side of the coop

 

[N F C]

This, anything new at all is met with curiosity, terror or a happy mix.
Also some birds are just a little more naturally "cautious".
One here bolted from her own babies and she has a whole flock so she knows what she is but those menacing puffs under her belly were just too much to handle.

"menacing puffs"

 

[N F C]

A picture of the chicks, and a picture of the first meeting in the coop. After they got of she screamed and ran to the other side of the coop

Cute chicks!