Momma hen attacking rest of flock although laying and chicks are 8 weeks old

[plum14]

I have a problem in that my momma hen hatched out 2 chicks 8 weeks ago and and laid a egg yesterday and isn't looking after her chicks really any more. We have a large fenced run divided into two and she has been in one half with her chicks and the other half has housed the main flock. The chicks have actually been going into the other part of the run sometimes as they can fit under the gate.

Twice I have tried to put her back with the others but she just goes for one hen in particular and the latest time left her with a bleeding comb.

What do people suggest? Do I take her chicks away and see if that helps as they could fit in the main coop but then to integrate her back. I'm a bit stumped as never hatched with a broody before.

 

[sourland]

This is normal pecking order behavior. She is reestablishing herself in the pecking order. Many like to raise the chicks within the flock so that this behavior is not so extreme. Things should settle down eventually.

 

[plum14]

Ok I think she was top of the pecking order before.

 

[aart]

She is reestablishing herself in the pecking order. Many like to raise the chicks within the flock so that this behavior is not so extreme.

Yeppers.
I only keep broody and chicks separate from flock until about 1 week after hatch.
The mama definitely needs to reestablish her place in the pecking order, works better when they have their broody fierce on full tilt.
Fights can be vicious but are usually short lived.

The chicks have actually been going into the other part of the run sometimes as they can fit under the gate.

Just open the gate?
How much space do you have?

Some of these tips might help....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.