Other hens going bonkers

[mommto3kiddos]

My six other hens up until this point could have carried less about my broody and her chicks, but today since everyone else hatched out I guess the chirping has a couple of them going crazy.. I have the entrance to the coop blocked off in the afternoon to give mom and chicks room to move about and then at night I block her and the babies off in their tub/nest cage.. Today though 2 of my other hens have been pacing and bumping the door of the coop trying to get in.. I mean obsessivly!!!

Why are they freaking out so much. Do you think they want to steal the chicks or kill them?? Kinda worries me..

 

[flgardengirl]

Maybe they want to go into the coop to lay thier own eggs

 

[TrystInn]

Not knowing your setup, I'd agree with flgardengirl that they may want to get in there to lay. They might also want chicks of their own - we have a Cochin who absolutely loves being a mother and goes nuts trying to get in to pens where chicks are growing out. I'm actually considering buying more eggs for her to brood, given her instincts.

 

[drumstick diva]

Ditto I think they want to get into the coop and wonder why they are shut out of their home.

 

[heatherkh]

Quote:
My other hens did the same thing. In fact, our first indicator that the hatching had begun was the other ladies going a little bonkers. We had initially intended on not separating, and I didn't necessarily think the other hens would intentionally kill one of the babies (even tho I know it can happen), I thought just the amount of crazy activity could dangerous for little ones. So we separated by closing off the door to the main coop and setting up some temporary nesting boxes in our enclosed run. That way, everyone could see everyone. We reintegrated when the chicks were about 4 weeks with no problems. Momma defended her kiddos (but didn't really need to, I think she was just making a statement), and the babies were spry enough to steer clear of any intentional pecks.

 

[mommto3kiddos]

I don't lock the girls out till around 2pm.. I have never had a hen lay after 8am..lol But I know it could happen..

Its just today they are freaking and I have been locking them out for almost a week now.. They free range during this time, but today those 2 hens refuse to eat or range, they just sit at the coop door, ticked off!!!