How to protect free-range chicks from dominant hens and predators?

[HaltaLotta]

I live in Sweden, have 5 hens and one cautious, sweet, quiet rooster. The hens (favorolles and Sussex) are very broody, and I've loved letting them hatch. They are all free-range. The problem is that one dominant hen pecks at and kills the chicks; while hawks seem to find hens with chicks easy prey. As a result, I lost most of the chicks and one hen (leaving additional chicks motherless). Any advice, or do I just fence off broody hens for a summer?

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC. I see that you have posted on other forums. This question would be best served here, maybe - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/raising-baby-chicks.11/

 

[HaltaLotta]

Thanks! I've been checking out that forum regularly. Will continue to do so.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[SueT]

Hi, I had a situation w the lower hen losing chicks. I think maybe you have to isolate them or only let top hen brood chicks...

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Happy to have you join the family. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

 

[Plip]

Welcome to BYC! What a joy to be able to have the hens hatch the chicks, and what a disappointment to be losing them. I hope you find a solution.

 

[Latestarter]

So sorry you've lost chicks and the hen. If I had a dominant mean hen, I'd send her to freezer camp. The head hen doesn't have to be a killer of chicks or down right mean to be the queen of the roost. You could put lots of objects in their area that the chicks can fit under but the bigger hens can't. In general cover for them all to get under will help with the hawk problem. Hope you find a solution that works for you.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Hi, I had a situation w the lower hen losing chicks. I think maybe you have to isolate them or only let top hen brood chicks...

I am so sorry to say this @SueT but chicken don't respect my wishes. I make great plans all the time and my chicken absolutely ignore my advice.

 

[AllenK RGV]

So sorry you've lost chicks and the hen. If I had a dominant mean hen, I'd send her to freezer camp. The head hen doesn't have to be a killer of chicks or down right mean to be the queen of the roost. You could put lots of objects in their area that the chicks can fit under but the bigger hens can't. In general cover for them all to get under will help with the hawk problem. Hope you find a solution that works for you.

X2