Other chickens killed little peep :-(

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

My broody hatched two little peeps a week ago tomorrow. She and a helper hen have been taking very good care of the two peeps until today. I have no idea what happened, but I came home from fishing with Dad and the hens were in the backyard with a dead peep. I'll spare you the gory details but needless to say I am devastated.

DBF says I should take the other one away and put him/her and mama in the dog crate so they are safe. I want to let them roam free in the yard and if you've ever had a broody hen, you know there's no good way to catch her and the baby without someone getting hurt (ME!) This is my first broody experience so please tell me what you suggest.

Those hens have been taking such good care of the babies that I just have no idea what went wrong.

 

[Chickenaddict]

I would take the mama and baby and seperate them, I am afraid if you don't the other won't last much longer

I had 2 broodies share a nest once and they fought over the first hatchling, literally tearing it apart

I have had alot of experience with broodies the past 4 years and I have learned lessons the hard way. I am so sorry for your loss

 

[Rooster Cogburn Jr.]

I'm new to this but everything I've read says to separate the hen and her babies from the rest of the flock for atleast a month because the older birds will hurt them. Some of my 15 week old birds circle the pen of my 4 week old birds trying to pick a fight. I'll let them out in a month to join the others.

Also any hardware store or Truck Stop sells good thick gloves. The Pilot in Avon I-90 Exit 151 will have them. The ones I get are 3 pair for $5.99. Thick enough to pull cactus out of the garden by hand. Ought to work well for a broody hen.