So I have a hen that was sitting on a nest for 30 days. I was about to throw the eggs out because I figured they were bad, then I saw a chick in there. Okay, so I precede to hang up some new perches. I go inside to get my drill, and when I come back another hen is in the box and is picking up the chick by the head and shaking him. I pull her out by the scruff of her neck (I was angry) call her some names, and chase her away.
This hen (call her DT, for Delia's Twin) has been acting broody for the last few days, but was never sitting on a nest. The poor mama (we call her PB, long story there) was terrified of her. I got an egg carton and taped it to the front of the box so that DT won't bother her again.
When I went out yesterday morning the egg carton was on the ground and DT was on the nest. I looked around and couldn't find any sign of PB or her chick. I saw them later in the day, and off-topic, the chick is a total a-hole. He kept pecking PB right around the eyes. She picked him up in her beak and dropped him on the ground, and it looks like he learned his lesson.
I was going to let DT be mama, but she is really negligent of the nest. Any idea what brought this on, or what I should do with her to keep her away from PB? I really like DT but she is causing a lot of trouble with the other hens, being broody on and off and such. Do you think I should just let them work it out for themselves?
This hen (call her DT, for Delia's Twin) has been acting broody for the last few days, but was never sitting on a nest. The poor mama (we call her PB, long story there) was terrified of her. I got an egg carton and taped it to the front of the box so that DT won't bother her again.
When I went out yesterday morning the egg carton was on the ground and DT was on the nest. I looked around and couldn't find any sign of PB or her chick. I saw them later in the day, and off-topic, the chick is a total a-hole. He kept pecking PB right around the eyes. She picked him up in her beak and dropped him on the ground, and it looks like he learned his lesson.
I was going to let DT be mama, but she is really negligent of the nest. Any idea what brought this on, or what I should do with her to keep her away from PB? I really like DT but she is causing a lot of trouble with the other hens, being broody on and off and such. Do you think I should just let them work it out for themselves?
