Oh brother, what to do

[scooter147]

I have a communal nest box about 7 feet high in the coop. The banties like it because the big hens can't bully them. So I have had about 6 banties go broody in this box and I marked and set 6 eggs for them to hatch.
Well the eggs hatched yesterday morning. So I go and move the chicks yesterday afternoon so the hens have been exposed to the sounds of these chicks cheeping for some time. So I pick a hen to be mom and this hen has raised several batches of chicks so I figured she would be a good mom. She immediately starts pecking the chicks with great intent on harm.
Long story short, I tried all six hens and NONE of them will mother these chicks, they all peck at them and want nothing to do with them.
I simply don't get it, I have never had this happen in all my years.
So I put the chicks in the brooder and plan on isolating a hen tonight after dark and slipping the chicks under a hen and hope she takes them in. I don't want to raise them myself or I wouldn't have hatched them.
Mother nature is a fickle thing sometimes.
Wish me luck.

 

[momof247371]

maybe you have too many hens too close together with their broods. i always seperate the hens with their chicks away from the rest.. becuase if she thinks her babies are in danger she will do that.. she prolly percieves the other hens as a threat.. i would seperate each one with her chicks, away from everyone else...i hope this helps you!

 

[momof247371]

O and I wish you Luck

 

[scooter147]

momof,
I did seperate into a different coop.
Just don't know, I have hatched chicks this way a dozen time.
Thanks for you wishes though.

 

[momof247371]

ok, usually when they peck at the chicks with the intent to harm, they feel there is a danger... do you have any dogs, cats etc... that are scoping out your hens/babies?? i really dont know....i let one of my hens go broody and she is fierce with her babies, i let her and the babies free range so she is away from the other chickens, they are pastured with our goats, i hope someone else can give you some clues....Best of luck to ya