Hens attacking baby chicks

[Dans Magoo]

I’m new to the chicken game. Have 13 hens and a rooster. One hen been sitting on eggs for almost 3 weeks. We been waiting anxiously for the babies. Obviously one hatched today when we were out and when we went past the run the hens had attached it and killed it. They are in a 10mx10m run with hatching boxes. Is it normal for hens to attack the chicks? How can we prevent this? Did not expect the hens to attack the new chicks. Advise appreciated.

 

[janiedoe]

I've never dealt with this. My hens and roosters are pretty laid back.
I would suggest putting your hen and the chicks in a secure enclosure inside your run, until the chicks are older. If they can see, but not touch them, they'll get used to them, and consider them part of the flock.
How long you need to keep them apart, depends on how protective your broody is, as well as her status in the flock.
Good luck. I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Folly's place]

It's best to have a broody and her chicks in a separate area within the coop/ run for at least a week, or longer, until the chicks stay with mama and can keep up with her. Once when we had a broody hen who was low in the flock social order, she and her chicks were in that big dog airline crate for two weeks, because the chicks were going to be in trouble in the flock.
Chickens are little velociraptors in so many ways! New unprotected chicks will be killed if their mama can't protect them.
Mary

 

[Dans Magoo]

I've never dealt with this. My hens and roosters are pretty laid back.
I would suggest putting your hen and the chicks in a secure enclosure inside your run, until the chicks are older. If they can see, but not touch them, they'll get used to them, and consider them part of the flock.
How long you need to keep them apart, depends on how protective your broody is, as well as her status in the flock.
Good luck. I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Dans Magoo]

enclosure done. One baby at least survived. Mom still sitting on eggs. So here’s hoping …

 

[Dans Magoo]

It's best to have a broody and her chicks in a separate area within the coop/ run for at least a week, or longer, until the chicks stay with mama and can keep up with her. Once when we had a broody hen who was low in the flock social order, she and her chicks were in that big dog airline crate for two weeks, because the chicks were going to be in trouble in the flock.
Chickens are little velociraptors in so many ways! New unprotected chicks will be killed if their mama can't protect them.
Mary

Thanks for the advise. We built a second run for the new babies and mom. They can see eachother through the fence. How long should we keep them separate from the rest of the chickens?

 

[Folly's place]

I'd try at least one week, maybe longer. Your hens already killed some chicks, so give everyone time to regroup. Is your broody high in the flock social order, or bottom of the group? It matters too.
Mary

 

[Dans Magoo]

I'd try at least one week, maybe longer. Your hens already killed some chicks, so give everyone time to regroup. Is your broody high in the flock social order, or bottom of the group? It matters too.
Mary

Thanks for the reply Mary, Mmm think I will try keep them separate for a while longer then. Speckles (the mom) was always with the flock .., part of the pack… however I did notice when she was “brooding” and only joining in on occasion to eat … she was being “hen pecked” a bit. She is a bit bigger than the other hens though … maybe I will try 2- 3 weeks separation and the monitored visitations… see how things go …