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Old hen acting odd with introduced 7 week old chicks

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by Oz Chook, Nov 11, 2007.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Nov 11, 2007 #1
    Oz Chook

    Oz Chook In the Brooder

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    Nov 11, 2007
    Western Australia
    I have a 3 year old hen that has been on it's own for about 10 months (our other chook died).

    I recently got 3 new babies that were 6 weeks old. For the first week I let the babies out into the chook yard with Lilly (the older chook) during the day and brought them inside at night. Lilly was fine with this and didn't seem too bothered by them.

    Tonight the babies are sleeping in the hen house for the first time. They are sleeping together in the low part of the house and Lilly is up on her perch.

    Ever since they have been in there (5 hours now) Lilly has stood at the end of the perch just staring at the babies. Is this normal?

    This is the first time I've had baby chooks, all my others were older so this is new territory for me....
     
  2. Nov 11, 2007 #2
    CarriBrown

    CarriBrown Crowing Premium Member

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    Jan 21, 2007
    Thousand Oaks, California
    I think she's just interested. Chickens don't seem to like change, so after being by herself for so long, she's probably confused/interested/etc.
    I think they'll be fine as long as she isn't aggressive towards them, but it sounds like she isn't.
     
  3. Nov 11, 2007 #3
    chickenwoods

    chickenwoods Songster

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    Apr 29, 2007
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    I wish my old hens would be nice to my young hens..
    I normally wait till 4 months to introduce to mature birds,but its too cold out in the tracter for the 3 monthers..so i had to introduce them...Theyre was blood!!,and and feathers flying for the rest of the day...but they all woke up togather and only peck towards a pecking order..now only fight over food and water.....lol

    but at 6 weeks,if she gets agressive it could lead to serius injury. as long as shes not agressive.lloll

    I'd say in a few weeks they will do fine togather!!
     

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