Hen is terrorizing chicks at a little over 2 months

[Retirement chickens]

Our feral hen (not really but that's another story) took up residency in our back yard a few months back. She had been around two roosters for at least a couple of months and promptly found a secluded nest spot on the ground, laid 11 eggs, and 9 chicks followed 20 days later. One chick met the neighbors cat and lost, but the other 8 are thriving at a little over two months. Mom was the world's greatest mom for about two months and then started terrorizing the chicks. We watched for several days as things went from bad to worse. We finally separated the brood from the hen and everything seems fine. Mom immediately started laying again and all is well. Was the hen's change in behavior related to the fact that she was ready to start laying again? Would this resolve itself eventually or would she continue to freak out as long as roosters were present (even if only half grown)? How much space does a hen need to lay if chicks are present? Nest boxes are available, but mom seems to prefer the ground.

Thanks for any help,

Art & Teri

 

[barred-rocks-rock]

 

[Chicky Tocks]

I'm wondering this myself. My mama hen with her one chick just started laying again. The chick was hatched on July 4th. When I free range them, the chick still hangs with mama, but if mama finds a bug, she no longer offers it to the chick, she eats it herself. So far I haven't witnessed any terrorization, but I do notice the chick hanging out more and more by itself inside the coop while mom is outside of it meandering around.

 

[nnbreeder]

Think of this a weaning time for the chicks. Most animals will drive their offspring off in order to make them independant. Sometimes a chick can be stubborn about leaving mom but it rarely escilates to the point of bloodshed. Most of the time the chicks will wander away from mom on their own.

 

[beckychick]

LOL I guess humans are the only ones that keep their babies around as long as they can.

 

[crape]

Yes with a lot of hens they are great moms, then they decide the chicks are no longer welcome, and she wants nothing to do with them. Mine will usually go out in the yard then at the end of the day fly up in the rafters where the little ones can not get to her.

 

[crape]

Quote:
Mine only stick around because I foolishly taught them thier address, and they keep returning home.