Mean Mille Fluer hen

[rustytb2001]

I recently added my broody hen and her 6 week old chicks back into the flock after 2 weeks of being in a pen inside the run so everyone can meet peacefully. Everything has gone pretty good, mom still keeps them with her and the hens seem to ignore them,the roo also. All but 1 hen! She will deliberately chase the chicks and corner them. They all free range all day but if this hen sees mommy and babies in the run, she will come in to chase the babies and peck them. I separated her from the flock for a week but it didn't help, within a day she was mean as ever. I'm starting to think I'm going to have to get rid of her or cull her. I don't want this to be an issue every time I have peeps. Any ideas?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She is probably just exerting her dominance, she should calm down after a bit, next time don't wait as long to add the chicks and broody back, between 1-3 weeks is long enough for the chicks to be able to get away. As long as she's not drawing blood I would let them work it out, it is normal.

I like to keep my broody and her chicks in a wire pen so everyone can see them from the start and can get to know them, I keep them in there for a week or two, there still can be some drama when I let them out, so I continue to separate them at night for a while.

Sometimes it's best with chickens too stay out of things even though it drives us crazy, give her a bit of time and hopefully everything will calm down again, good luck.

 

[rustytb2001]

I wasn't prepared for a broody this time but next time... I'm already ready. I will make sure that they are in sight of each other even though seperated. I keep an eye on everyone and mommy tends to stay off alone with her babies. My husband gets so mad at that mean hen that he's ready to kill her, I tried to tell him if it wasn't her, it would be another one lol. Thanks for the advice, I've had chickens for years but never bantams or a broody hen. I'm hooked on bantams now and loving the broody hen

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have found bantams to be more noise and drama, they sure can scream like they are being killed, I think they are more personal and more interactive than large fowl, I also have a little Millie fluer d'uccle hen as well so I feel the need to defend your little tyrant. Mine attached herself to my other hen who is raising a single chick, she had become a second mommy following them around trying to take care of the chick. Silly little chickens.

 

[rustytb2001]

I have 3 Mille Fluer D'uccle hens and they are very personable, even the mean hen. I know it's all chicken pecking order drama but I hate to see it lol. I love my bantams but you're right they are full of drama, but they make up for it in personality. I'm playing on a few more old English game bantams in the spring, so it'll be more drama I'm sure.