I've been having some trouble integrating two new chicks into my LF flock. So to start, the flock consists of 1 rooster and 5 hens. All of them are between 1-6 years old. The chicks I'm trying to integrate are 10 weeks old.
I hatched these chicks myself, and I've been introducing them to the older chickens since they were little. I brought them outside and had them in a pen while the other chickens were out in the garden. So they've all known each other for weeks. Plus, I bring the rooster inside at night (so he doesn't wake the neighbors), along with one of his favorite hens, so they've been sleeping right next the babies every night for weeks too.
At this point, it's safe enough for me to let them all be in the garden together without the chicks being in a pen, but this is where my trouble starts. Even though none of the hens are especially mean, and the rooster seems to have already accepted them into the flock, the chicks are too scared to go anywhere near the older chickens. If one of the older hens even just walks by them, they start flinging themselves at the garden netting, or they jump onto my lap for protection. Seeing the chicks panic, the older hens get attracted to the scene and start chasing them. So basically, the babies get scared and panic for no reason, then they get chased, and then they panic even more the next time, which makes them get chased even more. It's a whole vicious circle, and I'm not quite sure how to break out of it. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can help these babies get over their fear and join the flock?
I hatched these chicks myself, and I've been introducing them to the older chickens since they were little. I brought them outside and had them in a pen while the other chickens were out in the garden. So they've all known each other for weeks. Plus, I bring the rooster inside at night (so he doesn't wake the neighbors), along with one of his favorite hens, so they've been sleeping right next the babies every night for weeks too.
At this point, it's safe enough for me to let them all be in the garden together without the chicks being in a pen, but this is where my trouble starts. Even though none of the hens are especially mean, and the rooster seems to have already accepted them into the flock, the chicks are too scared to go anywhere near the older chickens. If one of the older hens even just walks by them, they start flinging themselves at the garden netting, or they jump onto my lap for protection. Seeing the chicks panic, the older hens get attracted to the scene and start chasing them. So basically, the babies get scared and panic for no reason, then they get chased, and then they panic even more the next time, which makes them get chased even more. It's a whole vicious circle, and I'm not quite sure how to break out of it. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can help these babies get over their fear and join the flock?
