How do I reintegrate a broody momma and her chick?

[L1sa]

Hi,

I've had 2 broody mommas brooding at the same time, one of them raised her chicks within the flock, the other one is raising her baby in a maternity enclosure within the main coop.

The maternity coop is totally visible to the others, so I didn't think there would be a problem. Infact most of my broodys have raised their broods in this coop and reintegrated no problem. But this time we have roosters where we didn't before. I started leaving her door open hoping she would just reintegrate but our lead rooster is having none of it. He attacks her every time he even looks at her, but seems to ignore the chick. She was lead hen before she went broody.

The other hen who brooded within the main coop is absolutely fine and it's so lovely to see the little chicks mingling with all the others.

Is there anything I can do to help? Or do I just have to leave them to it?

The photos attached:

-The white rooster is gentle and lovely and doesn't attack anyone.
-The Partridge Silkie is the aggressor.
-Rosie (momma) and Twiglet hiding in their little coop.

 

[Alaskan]

If the only problem is the rooster, I would cage him up and see if the broody and chick can integrate when he is gone.

Maybe after a week the rooster can then be reintegrated and after being out of the flock for a bit will have learnt some manners.

I have never had a rooster do that to a hen, odd.

 

[aart]

I have never had a rooster do that to a hen, odd.

My last broody had trouble reintegrating,
she just didn't seem to have the 'broody fierce' needed.
I was amazed that the cock gave her a really hard time too.
Fortunately, things eventually smoothed out.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've never had that problem either but I don't isolate mine when they are incubating, hatching, or raising their chicks and I only have one broody at a time so I don't have to worry about keeping two broody hens and their chicks apart. Different circumstances get different results.

L1sa, I'm trying to relate this to my experiences. How old are those males? The white one looks quite mature, the Partridge not so much yet you say he is the lead rooster. I'm wondering if they are more cockerels than mature roosters? Cockerels often don't act like mature roosters. You did say the roosters were new. Maybe there is a clue there?

Were they well integrated before she went broody an you isolated her? Has the pecking order among the males changed since she went broody? Just looking for clues.

The only thing I can come up with is that she is a pretty dominant hen to start with and now she is broody. She's not only protective of her chick but wants nothing to do with a rooster's or cockerel's advances. He sees her as a threat to his flock dominance so he is trying to get her to accept his dominance by force.

So what can you do? You can try what Alaskan suggested. Separate him for week or so and see if she integrates. I've had success changing behaviors with isolation before, it might work. There is a risk that when you put him back he will fight with the other males but there are no guarantees about that. It might be a good solution. Even if there is fighting it may not be bad.

You can just let them go and see if they can work it out. That's my standard approach as long as no one is getting injured. My lead hen had a very rough two days when a cockerel matured enough to become the dominant flock master and took that flock master position away from her. No blood, no injuries but it was rough to watch. When it was over they became best buddies. Most roosters will not purposely harm a chick but there is a chance the chick could get injured if the two fight. My guess is that it won't really be a fight, more him chasing and her running away, but the chick complicates it. Being broody she will not likely easily submit.

I don't know why you want that many males around but that is your business. I try to solve for the peace of the flock, not just for one flock member. I've been known to get rid of a female or male if they are disrupting the flock. I don't know your goals and desires, this could be a pretty drastic solution for you. You may want to try either or both of the above first. Besides, if you remove the dominant male the flock dynamics probably change. Another male will become flock maser. If you have more than one male could become disruptive while they sort it out.

Good luck. I don;t see any clear cut answer.

 

[L1sa]

Thank you for your replies.

My roosters are 18 months old and were brood brothers, I guess that's how they manage to exist in harmony together, although occasionally they will tussle but the partridge always comes out on top. One of my broodys hatched them both and because there has never been an issue between them I've never felt the need to get rid of one.

There is no blood drawn and it does seem to be exactly what you said #Ridgerunner that he chases and she just runs away. But the chick seems to be intermingling with no problems. And Rosie was definitely lead hen before she went broody.

I think for now, I'll just leave well enough alone and allow the pecking order to re-establish itself.

Thank you for all your advice