Help! Integrating broody - Just let them fight it out?

[fatcatx]

We are on the verge of letting our bird beat each other up and I want to be assured this is the only way to settle things. We only have a handful of backyard chickens. We had our first broody hatch chicks that are now about 5 weeks old. We separated her during brooding and chick raising but it was in a pen where everyone could see each other. Previously, she was at the bottom of the pecking order, but while raising her chicks she went after anyone that came within 4 feet of her. This did not go over well with the top hen and the few tangles they got into they had to be physically pulled apart because top hen was not going to be run off.

Now that broody has shaken off her hormones and is asking to go back into the coop (she laid two days ago), she went "back to normal" with the other birds EXCEPT the top hen who she clearly still wants to go after which I can't figure out. Top hen obviously wants to put momma in her place too for being an upstart. The last few evening we have let them out together and stood around supervising with a rake to put between them each time they started posturing and squaring off. They are both itching to settle it.

At this point I'm guessing we just have to let them fight it out? The few scuffles they had all ended in bloody combs so I am worries the damage that will be done when they are left to settle it. Is this the best option and any advice on if/when to intercede?

(Side note: momma's chicks are still in separate pen where we integrated them with second set of chicks from store so the fighting is not due to anyone getting close to the babies.)

 

[Den in Penn]

Normally I would say let them settle it themselves, but since you are getting blood. A good thing to try is to separate the top hen and let the former broody integrate with the others for a couple of days to a week. When the top hen rejoins she will have to remind everyone just where she stands, and won't be able to concentrate on the one.

 

[fatcatx]

Thanks for helping with a plan B. I'm willing to referee for another few days to see if things smooth out and then try separating the queen for a while. I knew there would be a few squables when it came time for her to go back to the coop, but I didn't anticipate this kind of conflict! DH wants to try and use the hose on them today when they scuffle to see if that lets them decide who's boss but breaks it up before serious damage is done. (The way things are going, they may like it!

)