Don't know what to do... Chicks and broody

My Maran did a great job hatching her chicks, with some complications near the end thanks to another hen, but now that they're chicks I'm seriously concerned. She's scratching in the shavings and totally kicking them, rolling them and burying them in shavings, and pecking at them when they scurry out of the way. Usually she tolerates them, but whenever the other hens show up she gets agitated and irritated with the babies. Still she doesn't want to leave them. I had to take the silkie chicks out, they weren't going for food or water and just stood there, one couldn't even open it's eye. They wanted to be right under her, in the scratch zone. At least the other three were getting out of the way for the most part. When I was just out there, she stepped on one, the little thing freaked. It looks ok, but she's getting bedding in their food and water, and generally making a total mess.
People say let things be, and that she knows what she's doing, but I'm really concerned that she's looking for where the eggs have gone, and not understanding that she needs to take care of the babies. Its so off and on, sometimes she lets them climb on her, other times they're huddled in a corner in fear of her. I just don't know... Should I take them away?

She's not looking for eggs, it's her instincts telling her to find food for her babies. Hen's instinct to scratch and find food hasn't been overridden by the fact we keep feed in nice dishes for them . broody hens make a horrible mess, scratching bedding all over the blessed place. Keep your waterer elevated on some pieces of 2x4 or something, the chicks can easily hop up on them and drink clean water. I just scatter feed on the ground for the hen to find for her babies and don't worry about a feeder for the first few weeks. Yes, the babies get bowled over sometimes, but they learn pretty quick to stay out from under momma's feet when she's working!

Oh ok, so they're safe? I feed fermented, so she's not going to find much under there; its all a mushy glob in their dish. I'll put the silkies back when they're less delicate, they just don't seem able to deal right now. Almost no poops on the paper towel from them, makes me figure they're still not eating.

OH YEAH !!!
Quote: This is part of their broody instinct in the wild - - - -
hatch the eggs then show the young how to fend for themselves.
My broody hen really tore up the 10' x 30' run so bad that I turned them
ALL out to free range at the edge of our woods and grassy yard.
She can really tear up the ground showing her offspring how to do it.
Out of 12 biddies, I have 8 left. It is an ever increasing vigil for predators.
Loose some - make some more - loose some - make some more

BUT - she is over zealous in her teaching instincts. watching her flock mates
free range, they do half the destruction that the brooder does !! so it is her natural thing.
Only thing you can do is separate them - in different containments - they will be fine.
or, tolerate the mess for the next 2 or 3 months.

Just confiscated the last chick, found the poor thing cowering behind the water trough while the others pecked at it. Momma making no move to stop the others, more trying to encourage the chick to run when it was in the only possible safe place. So all five are in the brooder.

Pent said:

Just confiscated the last chick, found the poor thing cowering behind the water trough while the others pecked at it. Momma making no move to stop the others, more trying to encourage the chick to run when it was in the only possible safe place. So all five are in the brooder.

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I think you did the right thing. From what you described it sounds like she was a little too rough. I would of done the same thing. I dont think it is worth the risk of her injuring them. It sounds like you gave her some time to calm down and she didnt.
Good luck
Marie