I Had a hen die recently and her bities are only a few weeks old they have been venturing out of the nesting box and today another Hen has been bullying them coming in the box and beating them one had scratches on its back and so i seperated them in fear that they wouldnt make it to morning Why is this? is she feeling threatened by them? just wondering because usually my hens take care of each others chicks but this one is different
Hens will attack anything smaller then them to tell them they are top hen. I have had my hen eat her own babies so it's good that you removed them. Keep them separate until they are the same size as the hens and have a fighting chance in the group. Otherwise they may always be bullied. The mommy hen usually will protect them and now she is no longer there for them Poor babies! Good luck! You could find another broody and add them like someone else did on here and it worked really nice Maybe she would take over moms job and protect them
If you don't have another broody that will take the chicks, keep them in a small-ish box/run with a heat lamp, unless they are already feathered properly. If they are, separate them from the older hens or at least give them a place to get away.
