Broody Hens attacking chicks

[Carol5ll]

Hi, I have two broody hens sitting on eggs. I have separated them from the rest of the flock. 3 eggs have hatched, and this morning I checked on them, and one of them had pecked one chick to death. The other two chicks are fine Any advise please? Carol

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

I had a hen who loved hatching eggs but hated chicks.

Set up a brooder and put the chicks in it. Some are not meant to be mothers. Since it's 2 hens it could've been fighting, and then the chick got cut, and then they pecked it, but I'd just no risk it.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

You will probably need to separate both of these broodies from each other as they many not care for each others chicks. If the momma herself is hurting her chicks, you will need to brood them yourself in a brooder with a heat lamp.

Good luck with your broodies and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! You've gotten some good advice above, some hens don't like chicks and some will not tolerate other hen's chicks, sometimes if they have not been broody the right amount of time they will not accept chicks even if they hatched them also.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC!

You will probably need to separate both of these broodies from each other as they many not care for each others chicks. If the momma herself is hurting her chicks, you will need to brood them yourself in a brooder with a heat lamp.

Good luck with your broodies and welcome to our flock!

X 2

 

[gander007]

 

[drumstick diva]

Pop them into an brooder while you still have them. Are these first time broodies? Sometimes inexperienced mamas will injure/kill their chicks or refuse to sit on their eggs. They may get better with maturity or they may always be a threat to their progeny. If so, break them of their broodiness next time.