I have had two broody hens for weeks:
Cochin bantam
Buff silky
I ordered chicks: 10 total.
I waited for night. I quietly did the deed, replacing eggs with chicks.
for some reason, knowing my girls, I had full confidence in my Cochin. I knew she would be an excellent momma. The Silky I felt I would have to watch. For this reason I gave my Cochin 7 and the Silky 3 chicks.
Morning came and all chicks were alive though the silky had 2 not 3. The chick made its way over to my Cochin, now with 8 chicks - who was very content and chill. Oddly, my Silky momma was only left with Silky chicks.
My Silky was being very rough with them, not letting them out from under her and not letting them eat or drink. She was quite forcefully pecking them with an open beak while at the waterer, even grabbed one by the leg. The chicks sounded like it was unpleasant, peeping and screaming. I felt it went beyond motherly discipline, especially watching how tender my Cochin was being with her huge brood, doting over them lovingly!
I removed the 2 chicks from the silky and gave them to my Cochin. I then gave eggs to my silky eggs and she tucked them right under her.
?
?
Did I do the right thing?
I honestly have no idea what to do.
Can someone guide me?
Was my presence making the Silky tense and overly protective? She even bit me a few times. I hate to find out the hard way and have a couple of dead chicks.
thank you
I attached photos
Don’t be fooled by the sweet Silky photo. Whenever they tried to get out from under her they got pecked and squealed.
Cochin bantam
Buff silky
I ordered chicks: 10 total.
I waited for night. I quietly did the deed, replacing eggs with chicks.
for some reason, knowing my girls, I had full confidence in my Cochin. I knew she would be an excellent momma. The Silky I felt I would have to watch. For this reason I gave my Cochin 7 and the Silky 3 chicks.
Morning came and all chicks were alive though the silky had 2 not 3. The chick made its way over to my Cochin, now with 8 chicks - who was very content and chill. Oddly, my Silky momma was only left with Silky chicks.
My Silky was being very rough with them, not letting them out from under her and not letting them eat or drink. She was quite forcefully pecking them with an open beak while at the waterer, even grabbed one by the leg. The chicks sounded like it was unpleasant, peeping and screaming. I felt it went beyond motherly discipline, especially watching how tender my Cochin was being with her huge brood, doting over them lovingly!
I removed the 2 chicks from the silky and gave them to my Cochin. I then gave eggs to my silky eggs and she tucked them right under her.
?
?
Did I do the right thing?
I honestly have no idea what to do.
Can someone guide me?
Was my presence making the Silky tense and overly protective? She even bit me a few times. I hate to find out the hard way and have a couple of dead chicks.
thank you
I attached photos
Don’t be fooled by the sweet Silky photo. Whenever they tried to get out from under her they got pecked and squealed.
