Mother Hen Having Periodic Freak-Out Bursts- Worried For Chicks Safety- HELP!!!!

[MorningCrowing]

Hi there, it is our first time hatching chicks under a bird and our new mama hen, a red Cochin, just Hatched out her first batch of chicks. About every 15-20 minutes she will freak out and scratch in the bedding endlessly, digging holes up to a foot deep. She seems to forget about her chicks. Her 5 chicks will become very scared and hide in the corner, and I am concerned for her safety. Please help, experience needed.

 

[Doc7]

They’ll be fine. Only visit your coop to pick up eggs for the next 3 days to lower your own stress levels. Let the chickens do their own thing.

 

[janiedoe]

How old are your chicks? Does she have access to a run with an area to dust bathe? My hen would do that when dust bathing. It was a little scary looking but the chicks soon joined in. She also looked psycho when teaching them to eat.
I hope all goes well for you.

 

[BugStalker]

I had a rototiller myself. (RIR named Rhoda Tiller) I think it helps them destress or something. She didn't have chicks, but was low in pecking order. (She was the rooster's favorite, so I think the others envied her. Her BFF tried to control the rooster, but she treated him with respect. I guess it was a bit of a soap opera.)

 

[sylviethecochin]

How old are your chicks? Does she have access to a run with an area to dust bathe? My hen would do that when dust bathing. It was a little scary looking but the chicks soon joined in. She also looked psycho when teaching them to eat.
I hope all goes well for you.

Agree with the above. If you can get her out on dirt, she'll be happier. Broody hens often get mite infestations and are itchy for quite a while—I've seen some toss their babies a foot or more trying to get down into the dirt. But I've never seen a chick actually hurt by it, and they seem to get the hang of darting around Mum's feet pretty quickly.