Possible broody

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have those crazy broodies that fly out so fast. It's because they know if I catch them they go in the jail, so they flee for their lives.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I have those crazy broodies that fly out so fast. It's because they know if I catch them they go in the jail, so they flee for their lives.

It's hilarious! This one has never been broody before so never been in jail but last night I put them both on the roof so I think she realized that's no fun!

 

[ShrekDawg]

I'm hoping a few nights placed back on the roof will break her because she HATES the cage and tries to bust out (this is the same one that a dog grabbed, I had her in for one night and next day she kept busting out). But Penny I know will need the cage for sure. She just sits there. Blackie freaks out in there lol so I'm hoping she doesn't need the cage.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Soooo... I still haven't broken them yet because I've been too lazy to tbh. But I think Penny might be starting to break on her own because she was sunbathing this morning and then this afternoon when I let them out to free range, she came barreling out of the coop a few seconds later! Normally I have to drag her out lol

Blackie is a bit more serious now and puffs up at me but she is not consistently on the nest all day.

I do have another problem though. They seem to be fighting!

I'm not sure which Australorp it is but lately they've been attacking Penny! I just noticed it for the first time today but it's been a few days or more.

And it's not just a normal peck on the head or chase across the yard. I don't like that but know it's pecking order. This she legitimately puffed up and then flew at Penny feet first. Then the other Australorp saw her and joined in the chase. I saw this and ran screaming and gave them a few good chases, probably more than necessary, around the backyard. All seemed fine. I went inside. A few minutes later, I hear a loud fight. Run out, same birds fighting again but just the one Australorp this time. I scream again and chase again but just a short one cause she was heading into the woods.

I don't understand the problem. They have been together 2 years and sure sometimes the Australorps have been a little mean before but nothing like this. And Penny has been broody before and last time I even completely separated her in the garage a few days and reintroduced and there were no problems.

It is also weird because just seconds before they were, seemingly happily, foraging together and Penny even stole something from her. Then the fight? I'm not sure what started it. It happened so fast and seemed random. But I do know Penny stood her ground and maybe puffed back so maybe that's it? Because I know Bunny my Easter Egger is scared of them and backs off, running or flying out of their way, if they even so much as look at her wrong or step towards her (it sounds like she's being tramautized but she's not, what I mean is she knows how to avoid conflict and escalation and back off) and they are used to that but Penny stood her ground at first. Would that escalate it? But it seems somewhat random.

They're also both broody, could it be related? Though I think she attacks other Orpingtons too.

They are also all molting now. Could she just be witchy and uncomfortable from the molt?

She doesn't appear to be eating the feathers so not a protein issue I don't think. She just attacks!

I don't want to have to get rid of her but I will if she is going to full out attack my other hens!

Will this go away?

Like I said, they've been together 2 years so I find it really strange!

Could she be protecting chicks she doesn't have? Or do they only get the extreme protectiveness once they actually hatch?

And I know some say to let them sort it out themselves and I do with normal pecking order squabbles but with fullout attacks like this, I don't want Penny to get hurt!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Broody hens will often fight with other hens. It generally looks like more than what it is. Mine can get away from each other so it's often solved in a few minutes. I'm not sure how it will go under confinement, though I think you let yours out?

This time of year they are starting to molt, so they may break on their own. They also can get cranky from it, so sometimes there's a few spats.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Yeah, maybe it wasn't that bad but I've only had chickens 2 years and never seen a fight like that so I panicked LOL they squabble a lot with pulled feathers or pecks to the head or whatever but I've never seen them fluff up their neck feathers and fly at each other feet first! She aimed for her chest though at least. But still seems weird and extra... violent? Seems unnecessary, even for a fight. But maybe they would have broken up, idk. I panicked like I said lol she didn't defend herself. And well I haven't been letting them out much lately so that could be part of the problem I suppose. But it's weird it happened after I let them out. You would think the extra space would prevent it. But maybe they are rambunctious when they first come out and calm down later. I don't let them out until later in the day so I don't have to watch them all day

Hmm, I'm hoping they do break on their own! I'm taking Penny's coming off the nest on her own today as a good sign lol I might start letting them out daily or at least longer and trying the roost thing again and maybe it will work.

I gave them some mackerel today to help with the molting.

I imagine that would be uncomfortable! Can't see why it would cause feet first attacks though but maybe some handle it better or worse than others aha

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've seen plenty of feet flying action with broodies involved, so it's fairly normal. I wouldn't interfere unless it becomes really bloody. Broody hens cause all kinds of troubles, I'd rather not deal with them either. I'm glad when winter comes and the broody stops.

 

[aart]

Staying broody kind of isolates them them from the flock activities,
so when they come back into the flock it changes the pecking order.
Another good reason to break them if you're not going to let them hatch, 'gets them back into the flock faster.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I've seen plenty of feet flying action with broodies involved, so it's fairly normal. I wouldn't interfere unless it becomes really bloody. Broody hens cause all kinds of troubles, I'd rather not deal with them either. I'm glad when winter comes and the broody stops.

I didn't realize it was so common. It looks so horrific! Haha I'll try not to interfere though. So is it normal for the fights to be so frequent? But yes I will be glad when they stop!

Staying broody kind of isolates them them from the flock activities,
so when they come back into the flock it changes the pecking order.
Another good reason to break them if you're not going to let them hatch, 'gets them back into the flock faster.

That makes sense. Although it's weird because last time I had her in the garage, so completely separate from them, for a few days and reintroduced her (albeit while they were free ranging) and there were zero problems. They barely even knew she was missing. So why so violent this time? Does it just depend on how they're feeling at the time? And should I separate her now or hope she breaks soon from the molting? She's coming off the nest more on her own

Also apparently Bunny (one of my 2 Easter Eggers) isn't so innocent after all. She pinned one Orpington (not Penny) down and pulled feathers. I ran out. Probably shouldn't have. But she's so gentle and bullied normally. Maybe she is sick of being last lol

They also have gotten a lot more violent on the roosts and sometimes chase the others clear off at first. But of course there isn't really enough roosting room. But we finally finished the coop so they will be moving over very very soon.

But I just want to know what is happening to my sweet innocent gentle little flock.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would assume that they are like us in that some days you feel like fighting and other days you ignore your obnoxious sibling. Each hen sees the other one as competition for their potential offspring as well.

It's possible your hens have gone at it before and you haven't been around to see it. It generally happens after the broody comes off the nest and is clucking about. Could be the other hens find that noise as obnoxious as I do.