Mean Momma

[Chick Chica]

I have a 2 year old BO (Dixie). She's a virgin and probably always will be. The last time she went broody, I decided to give her fertilized eggs. The eggs were not viable (Boo!) I went to a farm and got her day old Wyandottes. She took to them and raised them as her own (Yay!)

Dixie has been a wonderful mother. A role model in raising her chicks (Yay!)

Chicks are now 8 weeks old and Dixie has started to be quite mean to them! (BOO!!)

Is this all part of the process? Is she encouraging distance? You know, like kicking your kids out of the house once they turn a certain age. (for their own good)

Dixie charges them and sometimes drives them away from their food. I have rectified this by setting up more food and water "stations".

I am thinking that this might change once the chicks get larger with time.

My flock is made up of 4 birds. Dixie, my 2 year old BO and her three, 8 week old, rejected, Lace Wyandottes, Maybelline, Carol and Lil' Queenie. Then their is me, Chick Chica. I have been known to "step in" and show them ALL who's at the top of the pecking order. (me!)

Any feedback will be graciously accepted.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes, that is perfectly normal. The hen is weaning her chicks. I’ve had hens do that as young as three weeks and some that wait until many weeks later, with the average being somewhere between 4 and 8 weeks of age. The hen has decided the chicks can now make it on their own with the flock.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Yes, that is perfectly normal. The hen is weaning her chicks. I’ve had hens do that as young as three weeks and some that wait until many weeks later, with the average being somewhere between 4 and 8 weeks of age. The hen has decided the chicks can now make it on their own with the flock.

X 2 -- it's all part of the natural process. This is the part where the baby birds are asked to "leave the nest" so to speak - Dixie's work her eis done.

 

[Chick Chica]

Thank you. I was thinking along the same lines. It's nice to get confirmation. Much appreciated!!