Pecking order change for broody?

[Nnyuu]

Hey all. I wasn't going to let my leghorn stay broody, but I felt so bad since she has been determined. She's doing the typical broody thing of only coming out once a day to eat, drink, and poop. Usually by the time she makes an appearance the rest of the flock are off free ranging. She's been on these eggs for about 11 days.

Yesterday she came out while they were still nearby and a couple hens who were *definitely* below her in the pecking order started to peck and bother her. Once she asserted herself they walked off, but then the rooster saw her and went nuts trying to get her. I felt so bad, she was just trying to get something to eat

I tried moving her and her nest early on but no dice. She's super stubborn and is sitting in the favorite nesting box so I have to make sure to grab her sister's fresh deposits daily because apparently the other 3 boxes aren't good enough

Anyway, I just wanted to be sure that this squabbling is normal. I'm in the process of setting up a small coop with its own run for her and babies if need be, or just to use as a quarantine area for new chickens. I just don't really want to remove her if I don't have to because I'm worried reintegration will be that much more difficult.

 

[MadamContrary]

Yes it's normal for broody birds to be picked on, they are secluding themselves from the flock and it seems to invite bullying. It's good she's still standing up for herself but I'd be concerned about the rooster's behavior.

 

[agold23]

Hey all. I wasn't going to let my leghorn stay broody, but I felt so bad since she has been determined. She's doing the typical broody thing of only coming out once a day to eat, drink, and poop. Usually by the time she makes an appearance the rest of the flock are off free ranging. She's been on these eggs for about 11 days.

Yesterday she came out while they were still nearby and a couple hens who were *definitely* below her in the pecking order started to peck and bother her. Once she asserted herself they walked off, but then the rooster saw her and went nuts trying to get her. I felt so bad, she was just trying to get something to eat

I tried moving her and her nest early on but no dice. She's super stubborn and is sitting in the favorite nesting box so I have to make sure to grab her sister's fresh deposits daily because apparently the other 3 boxes aren't good enough

Anyway, I just wanted to be sure that this squabbling is normal. I'm in the process of setting up a small coop with its own run for her and babies if need be, or just to use as a quarantine area for new chickens. I just don't really want to remove her if I don't have to because I'm worried reintegration will be that much more difficult.

Since your broody doesn’t seem to be that high up the pecking order, I’d leave her in the coop and let her raise her chicks there too if possible. It is normal for a bit of squabbling, but I wouldn’t separate them for the risk of having to reintroduce them.

My 1 y/o silkie’s egg hatched a week ago and her second in command (after the rooster) position was maintained, I would see her pecking away the other chickens from the water or food.

 

[Nnyuu]

Yes it's normal for broody birds to be picked on, they are secluding themselves from the flock and it seems to invite bullying. It's good she's still standing up for herself but I'd be concerned about the rooster's behavior.

She was his favorite, and I think he was way, way too excited seeing her again I did help her escape his rather forward advances.