Help! Chicken being bullied to death!

[Danragg]

I have four silkies, one of them is a lot tamer and friendlier than the rest she comes and sits on my lap and eats from my hand! The other 3 silkies always gang up on her :'( they pull her feathers out as soon as they see her, don't let her eat and chase her around the yard. She is broody at the moment and I wanted to let her hatch some chicks but I am starting to think that is a bad idea because one, how can she protect her chicks and two if I segregate her completely will they ever accept the and the chicks again! Any advise on the is welcomed thanks alot.

 

[GitaBooks]

My silkie loves going broody. It seems to make her very happy and her chicks love her and are good friends to her.

What is causing the bullying? Was she just introduced recently? Are the others males? I've never heard of silkies being mean to each other like that.

I would separate her while she sets and than wait until all her chicks are fully feathered. Pen them next to the others but out of reach, so they get use to one another. The others may not like her or her chicks, but hopefully they will ignore them instead of bullying.


Best of luck!

 

[Danragg]

They are all the same age and all hens,bought of a lady who said she is the only one that is not related to them but has been with them almost all their lives it's not only when she is broody that they are mean to her it is all the time, would it be more sensible to let one of the more dominant hens to raise some chicks instead. Just feel really bad for her and she wants some baby's so much! Thanks alot for the response

 

[Coopnana]

I have one silkie that goes in and out of broodiness more often then other silkies and she seems to keep more to herself and picked on. I gave her two surrogate BLRW to raise. Now they chase her around and pick on her some. I thought they would protect and know she was "mom".

 

[Danragg]

Stuck on whether to let her raise them or not :/

 

[donrae]

Sounds like you either need to build her separate housing or sell her to someone who has a more suitable flock.

 

[Danragg]

What are people's opinions on letting the more dominant hen raise the chicks or will the one at the bottom of the pecking order do fine thanks.

 

[bobbi-j]

What are people's opinions on letting the more dominant hen raise the chicks or will the one at the bottom of the pecking order do fine thanks.

The dominant hen will not raise chicks she has not hatched herself (or that she believes she has hatched herself). If the dominant hen hasn't been broody and given the chicks toward the end of her broody cycle, she is more likely to kill them than raise them.

 

[Danragg]

The dominant hen will not raise chicks she has not hatched herself (or that she believes she has hatched herself). If the dominant hen hasn't been broody and given the chicks toward the end of her broody cycle, she is more likely to kill them than raise them. 

Sorry wasn't very clear, the dominant hen is also broody, hence why I am choosing with to allow to hatch the eggs now you know this what do you think would be the best option thanks.

 

[SouthGaRoo]

Hi Danragg. Sorry about your problem i had pretty much the same thing happen, but not with Silkies mine was with a Silver laced cochin i went ahead and let her keep her chicks Seramas at that. I put her in another pen where they could see, hear but out of reach ( Just likeGitabooks said ).Worked for me i can put them all out together they will chase the chicks a little ( 12 weeks old now )but only at treat time ....Best of luck, hope all works out.