I put 2 babies in with a hen who had been sitting on wooden eggs for nearly 2 weeks, last night. Everything seemed well, she seemed thrilled with the babies. This morning I went to refill the food and water and held the chicks to take pics. I put them back, the hen was eating and when the babies ran into the food dish she pecked them hard, and seemed to try and get them back under her. I covered the crate over and everyone seems find now but I am worried. Is this behavior normal? The chicks are just a day old. Should I remove them? I would really rather have a hen raise the babies but if this is something that will harm the chicks I will take them away.
