- Oct 15, 2010
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I am relatively new to BYC....started w/chicks in March, but I grew up with lots of Leghorns on the ranch. Recently I purchased a few fertilized eggs to incubate under a couple of my Frizzles that had gone broody. One of the other Frizzles got in and ate a fertilized egg so I separated her from the group fearing that she would start eating eggs all the time. When I tried to put her back with the group, they jumped on her pulling out her feathers. She, in turn, started jumping on the more "chicken" of the chickens! I understand that this probably has to do with reestablishing the pecking order but I am worried for the chicks when they hatch in a few days. I am afraid that the surrogate mothers will not be able to protect the babies. I wanted to separate the mothers and babies, for their safety, in a portable coup w/rabbit wire so the chicks can't get out. I'm afraid if I do that though, I will never be able to reintroduce them to the flock. (Judging by the flock's reaction to the hen that had been gone for a couple of weeks.) Also, if I move the nest boxes before the chicks are hatched, will the hens stop sitting?? I appreciate any insight/info you can give me.