Mother hen turning on 3 month old chicks

[madlaina]

Hi all, I am after some advice. We have previously kept adult chickens, but are raising chicks for the first time.
About 2 months ago we bought a hen with 9 4 week old chicks. One sadly died, but the other 8 have made it this far and are now 13-14 weeks old. The hen has been a wonderful caring and protective mum, but in the last few days her behaviour has changed dramatically. She has now separated herself from the other chickens, refuses to go in the coop at night and goes after the other chickens if they come too close. No serious injuries so far, only a few pulled feathers and she abandons her ‘attacks’ once the chicks run away.
Has she simply decided that the chicks are now grown up and is trying to establish her place in the pecking order of the new flock or is this something I need to be concerned about?

 

[SueT]

Welcome to BYC! I think you are right, she is weaning her chicks, they are big kids now. See if it all works out just fine....
Good luck!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. She is weaning her chicks. She will soon start laying.

 

[bobbi-j]

Hi all, I am after some advice. We have previously kept adult chickens, but are raising chicks for the first time.
About 2 months ago we bought a hen with 9 4 week old chicks. One sadly died, but the other 8 have made it this far and are now 13-14 weeks old. The hen has been a wonderful caring and protective mum, but in the last few days her behaviour has changed dramatically. She has now separated herself from the other chickens, refuses to go in the coop at night and goes after the other chickens if they come too close. No serious injuries so far, only a few pulled feathers and she abandons her ‘attacks’ once the chicks run away.
Has she simply decided that the chicks are now grown up and is trying to establish her place in the pecking order of the new flock or is this something I need to be concerned about?

She is weaning them. Teaching them to be on their own. She held out pretty long with them. Mine usually do that when the chicks are 4-8 weeks old. They'll work it out just fine all by themselves.

 

[madlaina]

Thanks, that was what I was hoping was happening.
I have also noticed a change in the chicks’ vocalising since she started acting like this - they have started making more ‘chicken’ sounds and less ‘chick’ sounds.
Should we provide her with another sleeping spot away from the chicks? She has tried to roost in the bushes near the coop the last couple of nights and we have plucked her out of there and transferred her to the coop after dark.

 

[Hensndoes]

Thanks, that was what I was hoping was happening.
I have also noticed a change in the chicks’ vocalising since she started acting like this - they have started making more ‘chicken’ sounds and less ‘chick’ sounds.
Should we provide her with another sleeping spot away from the chicks? She has tried to roost in the bushes near the coop the last couple of nights and we have plucked her out of there and transferred her to the coop after dark.

I wouldn't separate anyone. Just let them work it out. Being she just raised them it will go easy. Keep putting her in the coop and make sure there is enough roost space. I hope your roost isn't 2" off the floor like store bought coops- if so put a higher one up

 

[madlaina]

There are 2 roosts with plenty of space for all the chickens. Roosts are about 1m (>3’) off the ground with a shelf at about half that height they use to get up onto the roosts.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

... About 2 months ago we bought a hen with 9 4 week old chicks.... but in the last few days her behaviour has changed dramatically. She has now separated herself from the other chickens, refuses to go in the coop at night and goes after the other chickens if they come too close....
Has she simply decided that the chicks are now grown up and is trying to establish her place in the pecking order of the new flock or is this something I need to be concerned about?

I am really astonished that it required 3 months for your mother hen to wean her babies. Most hens do that at 6 to 8 weeks old.