Mama seems to be throwin the chicks around.... Advice please...

[JeanGenie]

Hi all

Just a simple question from a relative newbie chicken keeper please.

My two Pekin hens went all broody on us a few weeks ago after hearing the chicks I hatched out in the incubator cheeping. I bought some fertile eggs and placed them under two hens. They had 4 eggs each and all hatched. So we had 8 new Pekin chicks. Myley, as my daughter named her..!!! Has been a perfect mom so far, they follow her around like a shadow and its wonderful to see. She is doing a brilliant job of her 4 chicks.

Now, Minnie, as my son named her seems to be having a few problems. If the chicks see Myley they head for her and settle down under her wings with her 4 chicks. This in my newbie opinion seems to anger Minnie and she pulls them out and throws them around until they settle back under her. Is she jealous of Myley and her mama abilities or just a risk to the chicks. I have already pulled 2 out as she threw them both against the wall of the coop and I feared she was trying to kill them.

That leaves 6 chicks in with them, 4 still with Myley and the other 2 with Minnie. I have just popped out to take another look and she is still picking them up by the wings and throwing them around. I want to get them out before she harms them but is she doing as mother nature intended and teaching them things, I am so unsure of what to do. I have a full brooder with heat lamp that they could be put in but the two I pulled out are cheeping very loudly and I feel they are calling for there mom....

Please can anyone advise me of what to do, I can seperate them both but will this just exasporate the situation....

Thanks

Dal
A wannabe english poultry breeder, but still on a massive learning curve..!!!!!

 

[Mahonri]

Although we had ducks as a kid, I've had no experience since then. I tried to hatch some out back in April but none developed.

All that said, I would separate the two mamma ducks as far away from each other as possible... and I'd probably take all of the ducklings away from the bad mamma.

 

[JeanGenie]

Hi

Thanks for the speedy response. I dont have ducks they are Pekin Chickens and Japanese breed. Sorry to be picky, but would that same advice apply to chickens?. I really want to get them out but are they doing as mother nature intended and teaching them who is the mom and who is the babysitter..????

Again thanks

Dal

 

[TXmom]

I'm sorry I don't have any advice for you...no experience with broodies yet. I just hope all your chickies are OK...

I would be worried about them and wondering what to do, too.

Here in the US, we don't have any chickens we call Pekins, those are ducks here. I think your Pekin is the same as our Cochin???

 

[Mahonri]

Yup, if a momma hen were doing that, I'd be separating the mean momma completely and letting the good mamma do her thing.

 

[JeanGenie]

Hi

I have just been sitting in the coop with them both and it seems they are both doing it to the chicks. Something I was not aware of. But as sson as they have got the correct babies under them they stop and settle. So are they just making sure which chick knows who is the mom...

For the people out there who are unsure of the UK's Pekin chickens, I have just taken this picture....

Thanks

Dal