Broody hen attacking chicks after she starting laying again.

[Swolf80]

First time raising chicks with broody hen. She did an great job hatching and raising them. I kept them with the flock. Now the chicks are 6 weeks and she started laying again. Everyone free ranges during the day and I put them in the run when I leave for work around 5. She constantly attacks them when in the run. They learned to stay away while free ranging but they get cornered in the run.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's pretty normal. Sounds like your run and coop are too small if the chicks can't get away? You could try providing hiding spots for the chicks.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Your sitting hen is finished mothering her chicks and now she is tired of them, wants to be through with them, and have nothing further to do with them.

It is called weaning the chicks. Chickens are not sentimental regardless of what some of you may believe. Once they are weaned their mother will have nothing further to do with her chicks, I doubt that their mother even recognises her brood any longer..

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

That's pretty normal. Sounds like your run and coop are too small if the chicks can't get away? You could try providing hiding spots for the chicks.

Your sitting hen is finished mothering her chicks and now she is tired of them, wants to be through with them, and have nothing further to do with them.

It is called weaning the chicks. Chickens are not sentimental regardless of what some of you may believe. Once they are weaned their mother will have nothing further to do with her chicks, I doubt that their mother even recognises her brood any longer..

Agreed on both counts. Very normal

 

[ChickNanny13]

 

[Ste]

It's all part of the pecking order and she's trying to tell them that she's done with them. I have spots in my run that the chicks can run under to get away from the grown hens. A few small boards leaned against the wall work well. If she gets overly aggressive and you are worried about the chicks getting injured you can remove her for the day into a dog crate and then put her back later but that's not usually necessary.