Broody hen is bullied

[KarLee A]

Hi everyone! I have a silkie who has gone broody. We put some fertile eggs under her so we didn't waste this opportunity. I have a mixed flock which I feel is important to add. Each time my broody silkie comes off her nest in the coop, she is immediately met with bullying from half my flock. I understand that it's normal behavior because she's distanced herself by being broody. How will this end? If and when the chicks hatch, how do I help her integrate them back into the flock without the hostility? I have chicken peepers? Maybe that would help? Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Yardmom]

When you say mixed flock do you mean standards and or roos with your silkie? Generally speaking mama hens are able to go back into a flock with only a little tussuling and other birds don't usually pay much attention to the chicks. If your Silkie is low ranking (or you have an individual who picks on her) you might need to create a safe place for her and her chicks. I have had success with sectioning off a part of the coop with welded wire for a bit. This way everyone can see but not touch while the chicks have a chance to grow a bit.

 

[LaFleche]

Hi everyone! I have a silkie who has gone broody. We put some fertile eggs under her so we didn't waste this opportunity. I have a mixed flock which I feel is important to add. Each time my broody silkie comes off her nest in the coop, she is immediately met with bullying from half my flock. I understand that it's normal behavior because she's distanced herself by being broody. How will this end? If and when the chicks hatch, how do I help her integrate them back into the flock without the hostility? I have chicken peepers? Maybe that would help? Any advice is appreciated!

There is a good reason it is recommended to separate the broody and her nest from the rest of the flock, or else you risk her getting beaten up, other chickens preventing her from getting back on her clutch and even hatching eggs getting broken as hens fight over the nest/eggs.
And in the unlikely case her chicks might hatch under these circumstances, they often will get injured or killed by flock mates.

Of course there will always be exceptions, i.e. when the flock is being led by a very social and attentive rooster protecting the broody and her nest/chicks from the rest of the flock and keeping any too curious or aggressive hen in line.

 

[KarLee A]

When you say mixed flock do you mean standards and or roos with your silkie? Generally speaking mama hens are able to go back into a flock with only a little tussuling and other birds don't usually pay much attention to the chicks. If your Silkie is low ranking (or you have an individual who picks on her) you might need to create a safe place for her and her chicks. I have had success with sectioning off a part of the coop with welded wire for a bit. This way everyone can see but not touch while the chicks have a chance to grow a bit.

Yes, Orpingtons, Americaunas, wyandottes etc. Great idea, thank you!

 

[KarLee A]

Good idea, they tend to leave her and her nest completely alone. Only when she comes out to eat and dust is she bullied. Should I separate them completely now? Or when the chicks hatch? I don't have a roo yet. Getting one in March.

 

[KarLee A]

Good idea, they tend to leave her and her nest completely alone. Only when she comes out to eat and dust is she bullied. Should I separate them completely now? Or when the chicks hatch? I don't have a roo yet. Getting one in March.

 

[Yardmom]

I separate with a wire cage while broodies are sitting on the eggs. The main reason is to keep other hens from laying eggs in her nest. Make sure you know which eggs are the fertile eggs she started with. If the other hens are not adding eggs and you have never seen the other hens bother her on the nest it would be ok to not seperate her until the need arises. Some just mark eggs and leave the broody with the flock the entire time.