Chicks picking on Hens

[vitanonest]

We have two adult, laying Ameraucanas, who occupy a very large run that was built for them before we could finish the coop. They have their own lay boxes, perches, etc.

We finished the coop and introduced our 25 chicks. Out of curiosity I opened the door to the run to see how the hens would react to the chicks. One hen won't enter and the other seemed incredibly curious, entering the coop immediately. She was incredibly gentle and more curious about the treats we had given the chicks than the chicks themselves.

However, every time this hen tries to scratch or grab some food, the chicks run over to her and peck at her! They grab onto her feathers and face! She tolerates it incredibly well by usually leaving. Other than a few surprised warning pecks (with little to no contact) she seems entirely docile with them.

I keep them separated when we're not watching them, I'm just curious to why this is happening? All my searching come up with hens pecking chicks, not the other way around.

 

[igorsMistress]

I suspect it's similar to when fish school...if they act together the law of numbers says they're less likely to suffer injury.

I could be way off base too, but it makes sense to me.

 

[vitanonest]

I thought of that, and would make sense as a defense mechanism. However, they only attack her when she tries to eat. She can walk around them just find. The chicks will walk under her like she isn't there... Until she tries to eat... Then it's war.

 

[igorsMistress]

Resources? That's their food. Her face is where they can get her? They're dinosaurs, they have their own psychology and we haven't figured it out?

Seriously though, maybe it's about resources, or maybe she's a stranger. I've read a lot about whether chickens recognize their Mom, flockmates etc. She's not any of those as they see it right now I'm guessing.

 

[aart]

Chicks will often peck at a mama's face...she'll school them if they get too aggressive.