Broody Hen Attacks Chick

[Spareribs]

Thank you for this - my first hatch today - broody bantam turned round & pecked the 2 newly hatched chicks I was shocked but not sure it was really aggressive, maybe just telling them to stop chirping? she's chatting so I think they're OK tonight, but I don't trust her & will check early! & will put the brooder on to warm up - any advice please?

 

[Sleigh]

Thank you for this - my first hatch today - broody bantam turned round & pecked the 2 newly hatched chicks I was shocked but not sure it was really aggressive, maybe just telling them to stop chirping? she's chatting so I think they're OK tonight, but I don't trust her & will check early! & will put the brooder on to warm up - any advice please?

How rough were the pecks? Are they still with her now? If they are still with her and still okay, things will work out.

 

[Spareribs]

Thanks for replying, it was a quick peck I think. However this morning my hen is flat, lifeless and cold - I've put her next to radiator & given a vitamin broth. Got chicks & last egg in incubator where I can see them for the moment. She doesn't look good & very light, although there was food & water in coop

 

[50-45-1]

I have seen this pecking behavior in the past and notice it happens when my hands and arms are on my broody hens immediate area.
Once I get myself out of her brood area she calms down and no more pecking.
A broody is ultra protective
, and I dont think there focus is good, going for my hand and arm and inadvertantly hitting the chick.
In 50 years of chickens I have never had one kill chicks on purpose. Only because of external stressors and aggravations.

 

[50-45-1]

Dont warm up your broodys area. That may be what is killing her!

& will put the brooder on to warm up -

 

[50-45-1]

Your broody is the heat source for chicks. She can brood chicks in the winter with no problems. If you over heat her she will likely die. Turn any heat you have on her off! Get some water down her. Cool her down. I hope she is not dead already.

this morning my hen is flat, lifeless and cold -

 

[Spareribs]

Thanks for your reply, I'm not sure you understood what I said. I have never put a heat source in the coop, besides it's summer here in UK! My hen was fine yesterday, broody for 2 weeks (I'd bought eggs) they pipped at 2am yesterday and I found shells at 7pm (and saw them under her). This morning I found her lifeless and cold, I brought her inside, gave her water with vitamins & electrolytes via syringe (I have saved other hens) and put her in a box by radiator, chicks in the incubator (now in the Titan brooder). Vet said probably just exhausted (her 3rd time broody) he gave antibiotic & vitamin shot, hoped she'd perk up hearing chicks but she's still lifeless. I rescue ex-caged hens.

 

[Sleigh]

Thanks for your reply, I'm not sure you understood what I said. I have never put a heat source in the coop, besides it's summer here in UK! My hen was fine yesterday, broody for 2 weeks (I'd bought eggs) they pipped at 2am yesterday and I found shells at 7pm (and saw them under her). This morning I found her lifeless and cold, I brought her inside, gave her water with vitamins & electrolytes via syringe (I have saved other hens) and put her in a box by radiator, chicks in the incubator (now in the Titan brooder). Vet said probably just exhausted (her 3rd time broody) he gave antibiotic & vitamin shot, hoped she'd perk up hearing chicks but she's still lifeless. I rescue ex-caged hens.

My goodness, I am so sorry to read this but glad that you have a vet to assist. My broody girl rarely left the box to eat during her three week brood - I only saw her out twice during that time. She lost a lot of weight that I did notice until the weekend of the chick-bonding attempt. I don't know if her hunger was a reason for the attack or something else.

Thank you for rescuing the battery hens, such a kind act. That is difficult to do in the States. Very few organizations are available to facilitate the rehoming.

I will keep you and your in my thoughts. Hope all improves.

 

[Spareribs]

Many thanks for your kind reply, sometimes I wonder why I keep chickens! Sadly broody Goldtop "Thunderbird" died in my arms this afternoon, Vet didn't think it was a disease. Silkie chicks (Mac n Cheese) have settled under the Titan brooder, drinking, eating & surviving excited visits from grandkids, so far. I'm fetching 2 ex-caged rescues Saturday to keep my blind hen "Holly" company, after they have sorted their pecking order. They are "mopped up" after the chicken catchers - the 'lucky' ones left behind... I hope they have a couple of years of retirement in the garden

 

[rosemarythyme]

Vet said probably just exhausted (her 3rd time broody) he gave antibiotic & vitamin shot, hoped she'd perk up hearing chicks but she's still lifeless. I rescue ex-caged hens.

Unfortunately some hens exhaust themselves completely during the brooding process, as they're so focused on hatching and caring for the chicks that they don't eat enough, groom enough (making them more prone to parasites), etc. Sorry that you lost your mama bird.