When will babies join the flock?

[weathergrl]

We had a broody hen and gave her 4 babies. She did great and they thrived. They are now about 6 weeks old and she has cut them loose. She has joined the flock again, but the babies hang out by themselves. All the chickens free range in our backyard and the babies usually hang out by the fence near the coop/run or under one of the bushes. The rest of the flock is all over the yard. The babies seem scared of the big chickens, even though I never see the big ones really bother them. A small peck here and there, but they don't chase them or anything like that. I'm wondering at what point will they join the flock.

 

[MarkJr]

From what I gather, it will be about laying age before they fully integrate. My 4 seven week chicks are in same boat. Separate from flock, while still getting close to (and pecked by) momma. Roosting time is brutal. They still think momma is protection. She beats the snot out of them. Then they play musical pecking until they figure out a roost that doesn’t serve a complimentary butt kicking.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chicks will stay in a sub-flock until they reach point of lay. After that, they're still more likely to hang around their hatchmates but will become part of the larger flock as a whole.