Broody hen getting attacked

[ehoneybee]

I have a BO who is not low on the pecking order but is being bullied by an older hen who has been with us longer (but who has always been quiet and independent). BO is sitting atop 13 eggs (was 11 but now 13 so that's another issue because they won't all hatch at the same time). Anyway, I don't want to move her because I'm worried she won't go back to her eggs. What should I do? The chicks should hatch mid week and she just started getting pecked. I plan to move her when the eggs hatch because now I don't trust that hen. I have another coop she and the chicks can have all to themselves. Does this sound ok?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Broody hens often get attacked. Definitely move her and the chicks for a few weeks to keep everyone safe. If possible keep them within sight. Sometimes there's fighting when you try releasing a broody back into the flock.

 

[ehoneybee]

Broody hens often get attacked. Definitely move her and the chicks for a few weeks to keep everyone safe. If possible keep them within sight. Sometimes there's fighting when you try releasing a broody back into the flock.

We have a weird situation right now where all 10 chickens are in a coop made for 6. I had 2 flocks that naturally separated at night but now those 4 are going into the main house. I've let them because they all find their place but I'm so worked about my broody. They won't peck her at night, right? And, really, it seems to just be one hem whose bullying.

 

[ehoneybee]

Broody hens often get attacked. Definitely move her and the chicks for a few weeks to keep everyone safe. If possible keep them within sight. Sometimes there's fighting when you try releasing a broody back into the flock.

They'll be able to see her through the run. The 2 coops share a run and the coop I'm going to put her in is in the middle of it.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They shouldn't peck her at night. Just keep an eye on the situation.

 

[aart]

Can you block off the coop the broody is in now,
so the other birds go into the other coop?
Pics of your whole setup would help here.
Sounds like you're going to need another coop for all of them,
including the 10 new ones, to fit in.

 

[ehoneybee]

Can you block off the coop the broody is in now,
so the other birds go into the other coop?
Pics of your whole setup would help here.
Sounds like you're going to need another coop for all of them,
including the 10 new ones, to fit in.

I could put some wire between her box and the rest of the chickens but the she would only have one way to get out and it would be through the door to the outside and not to the run. I'm not planning to keep the chicks. This was a pleasant surprise and I was yes her to be able to see it through. After mama raises them, they're going to friends. We have 2 coops. 1 holds 6 chickens and the other holds 4. Last spring I introduced 4 pullets (to make 10) and they naturally separated at night, going into the smaller coop. We do plan to build a bigger coop so they can all stay together at night but obviously that's not happening before mama has the chicks. I'll try to find some pics.

 

[ehoneybee]

I could put some wire between her box and the rest of the chickens but the she would only have one way to get out and it would be through the door to the outside and not to the run. I'm not planning to keep the chicks. This was a pleasant surprise and I was yes her to be able to see it through. After mama raises them, they're going to friends. We have 2 coops. 1 holds 6 chickens and the other holds 4. Last spring I introduced 4 pullets (to make 10) and they naturally separated at night, going into the smaller coop. We do plan to build a bigger coop so they can all stay together at night but obviously that's not happening before mama has the chicks. I'll try to find some pics.

 

[ehoneybee]

4 chicken coop is brown the 6 chicken coop is grey.

 

[bobbi-j]

If it were my flock, I’d separate the bully until the chicks are at least a week old. When I’ve allowed my broodies to do their thing, they have the chicks in the flock anywhere from 24 hours to a week old. They integrate much easier when Mama has all those protective broody hormones going on. It may be more difficult in your case, though, if your coop is already crowded.