Broody hen gets bullied

[Johnchickens2]

Hi there.
I have a broody hen. I've noticed that when she goes out to the daily break, the other hens start to bully her. They do that especially when she tries to take a dust bath - some of them just come and disturb her until she stops the bath. Looks like they understand she is broody and therefore they "enjoy" playing with her anger. I don't like it at all.

Thank you for your help

 

[SilverBirds]

Its normal. She's been gone sitting on her eggs so she's lost her place in the pecking order. There isn't really anything you can do except separate her.

 

[sourland]

The pecking order is like 'mean girls in high school'. Her change in demeanor has the rest of the flock regarding her as a stranger. It's what happens. You can keep her separated from the flock, but that will only make things worse when she is reintroduced.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would not separate her, just let her work it out. Mine comes out looking like a beach ball, even the rooster was spooked and gave her a peck. It is a change in the flock, and chickens hate change.

It will get better. They will tend to give her a wider berth as time goes on, and she needs to develop this, so that when she brings the chicks out, they are already giving her space.

Just keep an eye on her, make sure she gets something to eat and drink.

Mrs K

 

[bhawk-23]

Hi there.
I have a broody hen. I've noticed that when she goes out to the daily break, the other hens start to bully her. They do that especially when she tries to take a dust bath - some of them just come and disturb her until she stops the bath. Looks like they understand she is broody and therefore they "enjoy" playing with her anger. I don't like it at all.

Thank you for your help

I'm with you on this one. It kills me to watch the pecking order.
I chose to deal with broody bullying by just being out with the flock when she comes out to eat/drink/bathe. If anyone tries to bully her away from food or water I would just walk in-between. It was only to make me feel better I'm sure. But I needed to see her eat and drink for my assurance.
I would not separate either, reintegration will be much more difficult.

Edit to say: I am searching for bully hen threads and did not even look at the date of this one. I'm betting you have some really cute chicks by now! Lol

 

[Johnchickens2]

I'm with you on this one. It kills me to watch the pecking order.
I chose to deal with broody bullying by just being out with the flock when she comes out to eat/drink/bathe. If anyone tries to bully her away from food or water I would just walk in-between. It was only to make me feel better I'm sure. But I needed to see her eat and drink for my assurance.
I would not separate either, reintegration will be much more difficult.

Edit to say: I am searching for bully hen threads and did not even look at the date of this one. I'm betting you have some really cute chicks by now! Lol

Thanks for your reply!! Yes, we have 7 cute chicks