not so nice ex momma hen

[ams3651]

My momma hen kicked the kids to the curb several weeks ago and has become so mean to them and will not let them alone. The others will give them a little peck if they are in the way of treats but they have learned the snatch and run technique. But their mother will peck and chase them, they are scared of her. She squalks at them and is just mean. I still have them eating in the broody box and as a place for them to get away but she will squeeze herself in there to steal their food, she is small so she fits. I dont want to get rid of her but I dont know what to do about it. She is the only one to go broody and I was hoping she would do it again next year. Im already considering getting rid of my rooster because he's over mating the girls and the saddles only work on one of the hens, one of the babies Im sure is a cockerel and is a beautiful rir x ee but I dont want to loose a rir hen. What should I do about her behavior?

 

[ams3651]

anyone have any advice?

 

[BellLisamo]

oh my goodness! i havent had that happen to me, i wish i knew what to tell you. Can you seperate her from everyone for awhile? Make her the outcast, then reintroduce her at the bottom of the pecking order?

 

[cmom]

I would separate her from the rest of the flock for a few days. I had one hen that was a real bully. I put her in chicken jail. After a couple sessions in chicken jail for a week each time she finally settled down some. Also when I caught her being really aggressive with the pullets I would catch her by surprise with a hose I had nearby and squirt her when she started jumping on and going at a pullet. I think the surprise of the water spray eventually convinced her to let up, as I sprayed her a few times when I caught her in the act of beating up on a pullet.

 

[ams3651]

I cant isolate her, the chicks are living in the box so they have some protection and a place to try to get away from the others. I will try putting some water in a squirt bottle and squirting her. I have ran her away from them when i see her do it but I wasnt expecting her to be so mean.

 

[bryan8]

Crockpot......

~Bryan