Momma bird turned mean

[ladybird1964]

I have my 13 year old Polish Tophat hen in a brooder with her 4, one week old chicks. She was always a free roaming girl. Now she is cooped up with her babies she seems very mad. Should I let her roam with her chicks in a protected horse stall? Or leave her be?

 

[the poppster]

I have my 13 year old Polish Tophat hen in a brooder with her 4, one week old chicks. She was always a free roaming girl. Now she is cooped up with her babies she seems very mad. Should I let her roam with her chicks in a protected horse stall? Or leave her be?

Put her in the horse stall...and see how she behaves...be prepared for her to abandon the chicks...Wow she's pretty old!!!

 

[ladybird1964]

Yes she is very old. But healthy. She will jump out of the brooder and waits for her chicks, they can't jump out yet. Then she jumps back in. Whenever I put my arm on there to do whatever she attacks me.

 

[PerfectPlumage]

She is attacking you because she thinks you might harm her chicks. Naturally a broody hen will lead her chicks around the wilderness teaching them how to find food and finding food. Let her roam around with the chicks a bit.

 

[ladybird1964]

Do you think mr. Rooster will harm the week old chicks?

 

[donrae]

Momma and babies have no reason to be cooped up. Let her out with the flock.