Hen not letting chicks roost at night

[bainjanl]

The chicks are now 18 weeks old but the hen ( mother) has started running them out of the coop in the evening. She has also started running out some of the other hens. There’s plenty of room but she’s taken to not letting anyone one near her or on the bar she sits on. I tried waiting until dark and putting them in, but she knocks them off. Should I remove her?

 

[SueT]

She has weaned her chicks! Mine usually wean theirs by 6 weeks! They're on their own...
Sometimes, if a chicken won't share the roost, it helps to improvise roost dividers. Some like their privacy....

 

[bainjanl]

She has weaned her chicks! Mine usually wean theirs by 6 weeks! They're on their own...
Sometimes, if a chicken won't share the roost, it helps to improvise roost dividers. Some like their privacy....

She did ween them at 8 weeks and has been fine with them roosting in the coop. But 10 weeks later she is trying to run every one out at night. She is even knocking the old hens off their roosts. They are not even close to her. She is even chasing everyone out of the nest boxes ( they have been going in there to roost). I have never had this problem before.

 

[Perris]

she may be ill or in pain. When I have seen this kind of change in behaviour, it is because the bird in question is feeling rubbish *and* has plenty of energy (as opposed to just feeling ill, when they go stand somewhere quiet). I would catch her at roost time and give her a thorough examination (while everyone else gets to go to roost in peace). If you spot pin feathers, stop immediately and handle her as little as possible. Your answer in that case will be she's started moulting and her skin is super-sensitive so she's driving everyone else out of reach to try to protect herself.

 

[bainjanl]

she may be ill or in pain. When I have seen this kind of change in behaviour, it is because the bird in question is feeling rubbish *and* has plenty of energy (as opposed to just feeling ill, when they go stand somewhere quiet). I would catch her at roost time and give her a thorough examination (while everyone else gets to go to roost in peace). If you spot pin feathers, stop immediately and handle her as little as possible. Your answer in that case will be she's started moulting and her skin is super-sensitive so she's driving everyone else out of reach to try to protect herself.

Thanks I did notice that they are molting. The feathers are everywhere.