Hen attacked baby chicks

[Bellchicks18]

I had three broody hens. 2 were setting right next to each other and another in a different spot. The 2 next to each other had a couple eggs hatch within the last two day. The single hen hasn’t had any of her eggs hatch. (I don’t think they were fertilized). Today the single hen started attacking the baby chicks. It killed one then was working on hurting another one. Is this normal behavior? Why did she attack the baby chicks?

 

[ashlierami]

I had three broody hens. 2 were setting right next to each other and another in a different spot. The 2 next to each other had a couple eggs hatch within the last two day. The single hen hasn’t had any of her eggs hatch. (I don’t think they were fertilized). Today the single hen started attacking the baby chicks. It killed one then was working on hurting another one. Is this normal behavior? Why did she attack the baby chicks?

No not normal. I think she knows they aren't her eggs and didn't hatch under her and are treating them as a threat to her nest. She needs to be removed and broken if her eggs aren't fertile and going to hatch. There's a possibility she is just a mean mama by nature and will attack her own chicks if she has any so it's up to you if you let her have chicks. Some hens are this way and are not good mothers and should not be used to hatch chicks. She needs to be kept away from the chicks if you want them to survive. I would candle her eggs to see what's vuable and what's not before getting rid of them Best of luck.

 

[Bellchicks18]

No not normal. I think she knows they aren't her eggs and didn't hatch under her and are treating them as a threat to her nest. She needs to be removed and broken if her eggs aren't fertile and going to hatch. There's a possibility she is just a mean mama by nature and will attack her own chicks if she has any so it's up to you if you let her have chicks. Some hens are this way and are not good mothers and should not be used to hatch chicks. She needs to be kept away from the chicks if you want them to survive. I would candle her eggs to see what's vuable and what's not before getting rid of them Best of luck.

Ok thank you. This is our first time hatching chicks. She was determined to keep trying to get to them. She even went after my 3 year old, till my dog chased her away. It was a wild experience. We were all running around like crazy chickens after the actual crazy chicken.

 

[ashlierami]

No not normal. I think she knows they aren't her eggs and didn't hatch under her and are treating them as a threat to her nest. She needs to be removed and broken if her eggs aren't fertile and going to hatch. There's a possibility she is just a mean mama by nature and will attack her own chicks if she has any so it's up to you if you let her have chicks. Some hens are this way and are not good mothers and should not be used to hatch chicks. She needs to be kept away from the chicks if you want them to survive. Best of luck.

Ok thank you. This is our first time hatching chicks. She was determined to keep trying to get to them. She even went after my 3 year old, till my dog chased her away. It was a wild experience. We were all running around like crazy chickens after the actual crazy chicken.

Broody hens can be unpredictable. Even if they are the sweetest and tamest before going broody. Once chicks hatch they change even further and have the agression and protection mode. I have a hen that I watched hatch from her egg and once she went broody she was so mean. She would attack me when I would gather her chicks to take them inside at night.(during winter). If her eggs are viable and you decide to let her continue I would keep her separate and give her space. If they aren't viable or you decide to not let her have chicks she needs to be kept away from the babies atleast until she's over her broodiness. After that I would still watch her but she should calm down once her hormones settle.

 

[centrarchid]

I will not say what occurred is not normal. If hen doing attacking was not far enough into broody cycle, then she was not open to form bonds with chicks, whether they were open to forming bonds or not. Then when they approach her, she attacks. Any and all of my hens will do the same. The same hens also make model mothers when broody cycle of hen and developmental stage of chicks are in sync.

 

[Bellchicks18]

I will not say what occurred is not normal. If hen doing attacking was not far enough into broody cycle, then she was not open to form bonds with chicks, whether they were open to forming bonds or not. Then when they approach her, she attacks. Any and all of my hens will do the same. The same hens also make model mothers when broody cycle of hen and developmental stage of chicks are in sync.

They all started to be broody at the same time. Maybe a day or two between them. She approach the other hens and started attacking. Her nest was on a different level and a good 10 feet away. We moved her into a different coop. She only was sitting on two eggs. I know one egg is not vilable. I am not sure about the other one.