I have one of my broody hens based around house. She has in tow two chicks approaching 4 weeks post-hatch. She is generally well minded and allows we to approach without issue. That all changes when I get out the 5-lb bags of chick starter feed and take them to the barn. She promptly runs over and starts flogging me and the bag as soon as she sees me. Today she popped me three times in rapid succession. She does it a little when I carry a flock raiser formulation (16% or 18% CP), but goes all out for the chick starter. For now I am rewarding her for the effort. I will see if she is really picky about the feed or if it is just the bag. The flogging does not seem to involve any real anger or aggression, as the intensity and duration is well below what she would invest if defending brood. The chicks do not appear to get riled like they do when she is really attacking. If anything, then they are coming closer and just observing.
