Trouble re-integrating my 1st broody back in..

[Mama2B&D&...Chickens]

My BO-Ellie, laid her 1st egg the other day and acts like she's "done" with the babies so I tried to let her out with the rest of them (we only have 4 more...1 roo) and they were going AFTER her! Mainly the GLW & EE and my ROO was actually trying to stand in the middle of them and STOP them!

Sweet boy he is...but she was in the bottom of the pecking order to begin with and now she's running up for me to "hold" her b/c she wants to escape them and then just RUNS from them when i make her get down

Breaks my HEART! What can I do to help? They've "seen" each other throughout this whole process b/c I've always had it where they were just seperated by wire =/

 

[aria122]

I would try moving your other chickens out for the day, leaving the broody hen in the area you want her to reintegrate into.
If you have nowhere to put the other chickens try just a couple hours, otherwise longer is better. Chickens are much less vulnerable when they are in there home area, you want her to settle in a little. (Remember, she may not recall having lived there before) When you put the other chickens back in, do it one chicken at a time. Start with the roo if he's nice, and then from the bottom of the pecking order up for the hens. (So the head hen is last to come back in)

Social status is heavy stuff in the chicken world!

 

[Mama2B&D&...Chickens]

GOOD idea! I never thought about re-integrating them 1 at a time...

However, today they suprised me again...I tried getting Ellie in with them and now Roo's going after her b/c she challenged one of his "girls" IDK. I'm going to definetely give this a shot though thanks..

 

[Lisa202]

How long was she separated?

 

[Mama2B&D&...Chickens]

I believe its been maybe a few wks...month at the longest? Always in sight of the others too and sometimes I let her and the kids out if i knew the others were having a "good" day.