I wanna see a mamma hen

[chickensloveme]

I have multiple hens who are broody but the two that I have allowed to hatch their eggs have killed the chicks. I really want to see a mother hen with chicks but I am afraid that they will still kill the baby chicks.

 

[sourland]

What breed are your hens ?

 

[chickensloveme]

What breed are your hens ?

The broodys are BO.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

How old were your broody's when they did that?

I've been successful at adopting hatchery chicks to my broody Silkie. But when some got in that didn't belong to her she was pecking away very brutal like. And her own go it a couple times.

I might not let the same killers try. But if you do, you should supervise and if she starts brutalizing be prepared to move them to a brooder. Are you sure they hatched and she killed them in the past?

 

[chickensloveme]

My hens are 1-2 years old. I just don't get it. A chick was starting to hatch and she killed it.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My hens are 1-2 years old. I just don't get it. A chick was starting to hatch and she killed it.

Some just don't have the mothering instinct. She may be confused?

I don't doubt you... but do you think she was actually trying to help and just messed up?

I know hatching eggs from your own flock are free, but the hen does lose condition when she sits for nearly a month... maybe consider getting a couple of very recent hatched chicks and tucking under her during the night. Be with her first thing in the morning to supervise and intervene as needed. If she does it again, I would employ a broody breaker instead of even letting her try in the future.

Cruddy pic counts as sharing, not bragging.

Even crazies wanna have kids, doesn't mean they should!