HELP broody hen kills chick

[Silkiechickens10]

I have two broody hens who's eggs have just started to hatch, this morning they were all packing around, the chicks are 0-4 days old. I went to check on them around 20min later and one of the mother hens had (this is graphic) pecked the chicks scalp until its bleeding. It's obvious it wasnt going to make it, and the hen kept pecking. I'm not sure who's chick it was, but the other hen didnt have a problem with it. What should I do? Should I seperate the hens from the chicks?

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Yes, keep all the other hens away from the broody and her chicks.

 

[Acre4Me]

If you know who the broody is that did the pecking, can you separate her and see if the other broody will accept them all? And, might be a good idea to separate broody and chicks for a couple of weeks (a section of the run for see/no touch interaction).

Sometimes a broody kills chicks because they are not a good momma to chicks, but happy to sit and hatch eggs. Others will kill a weak chick of their own brood.

Good Luck.

 

[Silkiechickens10]

If you know who the broody is that did the pecking, can you separate her and see if the other broody will accept them all? And, might be a good idea to separate broody and chicks for a couple of weeks (a section of the run for see/no touch interaction).

Sometimes a broody kills chicks because they are not a good momma to chicks, but happy to sit and hatch eggs. Others will kill a weak chick of their own brood.

Good Luck.

Thank you! I will do that. My other broody hen has done some pecking at the chicks and they will peep, but nothing compared to my other broody, should I seperate her too or just keep a close eye?

 

[Acre4Me]

Has the other (non lethal) broody done a good job otherwise? Teaching chicks to eat, drink, scratch? Calling them to her? Keeping them all warm under her? Is so, then I would just keep an eye on them. But, if she isn’t doing a very good job and pecking them (even if not drawing blood), maybe separate the chicks from both broodies to keep them safe. Has either broody raised chicks before? How old are the broodies?

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Thank you! I will do that. My other broody hen has done some pecking at the chicks and they will peep, but nothing compared to my other broody, should I seperate her too or just keep a close eye?

I would separate, just to be on the safe side. That way you don’t have to worry and you can think about other things

 

[chickens really]

What are you hatching in? Two Broody hens are a disaster together. Separate.
If too much interference a Broody will kill Chicks.

 

[cmom]

I keep my broody's separate from the rest of their flock.

 

[Acre4Me]

I keep my broody's separate from the rest of their flock.
View attachment 1733008 View attachment 1733013

Nice see/no touch enclosures!

 

[cmom]

The brooder is inside an enclosure so the broody can go out if she wants.