Is this normal chicken behavior?

[ashlierami]

I have a white silkie with two 5 week old mixed chicks. She was with her rooster and his other hens today when he sounded the alarm. I knew something was wrong and I went to go check. My cat was chasing the chicks and trying to attack them. The mama hens was with her wings out trying to attack the cat. This is normal I know. One of the hens from the flock was also attacking the cat. This was unusual to me because she doesn't seem to like the mama hen or her chicks. Is this just what the hens within the flock do for the chicks? The rooster was mainly sounding the danger alarm and trying to keep everyone together. The hen that was helping the mama usually pecks her and her chicks so I didn't think she would defend them.

 

[sourland]

In my experience a dominant hen is frequently more flock protective than many/most roosters.

 

[ashlierami]

In my experience a dominant hen is frequently more flock protective than many/most roosters.

She is the current dominant one since the past dominant hen is busy with newly hatched chicks. It was just a surprise to me to see her protecting the chicks with the mama hen.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Keep the cat away from them! Cats have bacteria on their teeth and claws that can cause a lethal infection from just the slightest nip or scratch. It's not as dangerous to adults, but it can be lethal to baby chicks. Even a cat licking a chick can transmit the bacteria through their thin skin and kill them.

 

[theoldchick]

She was defending her territory from an invader. Remember those Dino genes will come to the surface when the flock feels threatened. Heck, at times, I think I have Dino genes when it comes to defending my flock.

 

[ashlierami]

Keep the cat away from them! Cats have bacteria on their teeth and claws that can cause a lethal infection from just the slightest nip or scratch. It's not as dangerous to adults, but it can be lethal to baby chicks. Even a cat licking a chick can transmit the bacteria through their thin skin and kill them.

I put the mama up with her chicks in a separate pen since my cat is outside currently. He's always understood to leave the chickens alone but he was tempted by the baby chicks. I know this is his instincts but I don't allow it. They chicks were unharmed and ran away I checked both before I put them up.