One broody hen and one mean hen

[Leigti]

I read the feature article to prevent bullying. But I have a question. One of my hands has been brutally for over three weeks now. And another hand who is usually peaceful has become very mean to the newest members of the flock, also for about three weeks now. The four checks that are about 10 weeks old are being kept away from the food and water and Roosts by the mean hen.
So, is the behavior change in the suddenly mean hen tied to having a broody hen at the same time? Will the one be nicer once the brood he is done being broody?
And if it is just a coincidence, should I put the mean one in time out for a week or so? I don’t want her hurting the younger chicks.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

I read the feature article to prevent bullying. But I have a question. One of my hands has been brutally for over three weeks now. And another hand who is usually peaceful has become very mean to the newest members of the flock, also for about three weeks now. The four checks that are about 10 weeks old are being kept away from the food and water and Roosts by the mean hen.
So, is the behavior change in the suddenly mean hen tied to having a broody hen at the same time? Will the one be nicer once the brood he is done being broody?
And if it is just a coincidence, should I put the mean one in time out for a week or so? I don’t want her hurting the younger chicks.

1. You shouldn’t have ten week old chicks in with older hens

2. Your broody hen should be kept separate

3. What is ‘time out’ ? It’s a chicken we are talking about, NOT a dog.

Remove those ten week old chicks immediately before you go out one morning to find them all dead !

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

You can put your ten week old chicks back in when they’re 16 weeks old. What you should of done is made a separate pen close to your original pen so the original flock could see the chicks and get used to them before you add them in, which is what you did not do. My advice to you would be to do that now. Hurry on !

 

[Chickassan]

Your young chicks should have food/ water and roosts in a spot they can acess but not the bigger hens. Older hens ALWAYS pick on newcomers especially ones smaller than themselves even with a proper introduction period. Make your chicks a safe zone to eat, drink and sleep. Give them areas to hide and get away, they will greatly appreciate it.

 

[Leigti]

OK, I forgot to explain a couple things. First of all, these checks of been integrated with the flock since they were four weeks old. No issues. They were kept in a pan inside the run for four weeks prior to being let out with the others. There have been no issues up until The head and went Rudy. And even then not really until the last week and a half or so. I have always integrated my chicks in early and it has always worked out just fine. So I really don’t think that’s the problem. Up until last week there were all getting along great and all of them were up on the roosts eating together, doing dust baths together etc. peacefully. The mean hen has been introduced to many checks and never had a problem till this time. And she was fine, but change seems to of happened when other hand went broody.
Time out is when you take the mean hen and separate her from the whole flock for a few days. Put her where she can’t see or hear the other chickens then re-introduce her.
I just want to know if the two things are related, one broody hen and one mean hand. Because the timelines are the same.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Is the broody hen in the coop with your other hens ?
Take the mean hen out for a week
‘Time out’ I hope everything goes well for you.