Moody mama hen

[Kdlevesque]

about 2 1/2 weeks ago our two broody hens hatched out seven chicks in between them. We had moved them to a smaller pen within our larger one so the little ones wouldn’t fall down our ramp. We also have two other hens that have been with the two broodys since birth. With our monsoon that we’ve had in the south this week, the small coop started leaking. Lesson learned… No more Prefabricated coops! Anyway, we have been mixing them in a little bit and everybody seemed to be getting along really well but yesterday Mother Nature decided it was time to move to the big coop. one of the moms is being very aggressive to my other two hens that are simply minding their own business. Chicks and adults are all healthy and seem to be happy now that they are much dryer. My question is, should I be concerned that one of my moms is being so aggressive to my other hens? She’s actually not hurting them but she’s chasing them. We have two of everything… Two feeders and two waterers so they have plenty of resources. They also have plenty of room because we just built a huge fenced in area that is covered with aviary netting. Will she lighten up on the others? I figure once she gets out of “Mama hen mode“ she will be back to her usual self.

 

[DobieLover]

about 2 1/2 weeks ago our two broody hens hatched out seven chicks in between them. We had moved them to a smaller pen within our larger one so the little ones wouldn’t fall down our ramp. We also have two other hens that have been with the two broodys since birth. With our monsoon that we’ve had in the south this week, the small coop started leaking. Lesson learned… No more Prefabricated coops! Anyway, we have been mixing them in a little bit and everybody seemed to be getting along really well but yesterday Mother Nature decided it was time to move to the big coop. one of the moms is being very aggressive to my other two hens that are simply minding their own business. Chicks and adults are all healthy and seem to be happy now that they are much dryer. My question is, should I be concerned that one of my moms is being so aggressive to my other hens? She’s actually not hurting them but she’s chasing them. We have two of everything… Two feeders and two waterers so they have plenty of resources. They also have plenty of room because we just built a huge fenced in area that is covered with aviary netting. Will she lighten up on the others? I figure once she gets out of “Mama hen mode“ she will be back to her usual self.

It is completely natural and expected for the mother hen to drive off the other hens if she is not comfortable having them around her chicks. This isn't a battle for rank where she will not relent. Once the other hen moves off the proper distance in mom's opinion, mom will go back to her chicks. I'd leave the flock alone to sort things out. This is how the chicks will get integrated in with the rest.

 

[Kdlevesque]

It is completely natural and expected for the mother hen to drive off the other hens if she is not comfortable having them around her chicks. This isn't a battle for rank where she will not relent. Once the other hen moves off the proper distance is mom's opinion, mom will go back to her chicks. I'd leave the flock alone to sort things out. This is how the chicks will get integrated in with the rest.

Thank you so much! Otherwise, it’s going really well and I’m happy that they’re getting along pretty good.