Mama to Meanie.

[carajoden]

My mother hen was wonderful for 5 1/2 weeks then yesterday it was like a light switched off and she is done with her babies. All normal stuff, ... but she is not just nudging them away or gently warning them, she is chasing them, pecking them and harassing them.
Has anyone else experienced this aggression?

 

[Chicken Girl1]

My hen did this with her chicks at 6 or 8 weeks ( I honestly can't remember exact date since it was 2 years ago). I would suggest separating them, the mama may seriously hurt them

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[carajoden]

My hen did this with her chicks at 6 or 8 weeks ( I honestly can't remember exact date since it was 2 years ago). I would suggest separating them, the mama may seriously hurt them :/ .

Dang, I was afraid someone would suggest that. That would mean reintegrating them into the flock later. Phooey.

 

[Jensownzoo]

Maybe you could just put the chicks into a wire dog kennel in the coop until they get used to not crowding mama? Then you could prop the door open just wide enough for the chicks to come/go but not the adults, giving them a safe space.

 

[carajoden]

Maybe you could just put the chicks into a wire dog kennel in the coop until they get used to not crowding mama? Then you could prop the door open just wide enough for the chicks to come/go but not the adults, giving them a safe space.

That'd be smart. I need to do something like that. Thanks. Just a place where they could be safe.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I keep a piece of hardware cloth wire, 3x9, that's formed into a circle. I use it to separate birds within the coop. I would pop them in it at night. Though I don't think the mom would seriously hurt the chicks, I personally would leave them alone unless you are seeing blood.