Hi Folks
I had been considering removing my Momma Hen from her four chicks who are now 5 1/2 weeks old and reintegrating her with the main flock (3 hens and 1 rooster). The Momma Hen and the chicks have been living in a sectioned off corner of the main coop where the flock could still see them. However, I was advised against removing Momma Hen by the good folk here on these boards, on the basis that it would not be good for Momma Hen to be able to see her babies through the wire partition, but not be able to get to them, and she (and the chicks) might get distressed.
I now feel my hand is being forced to do just that though. When I went out to the coop to feed, water and clean this morning, I found that Momma Hen was turning on her chicks. Any time they came near her (even before I dropped feed in for them) she would give them quite a vicious peck. At one point, she was chasing them down specifically to peck at them. I understand that this is normal behaviour, but am surprised it has happened so soon.
I immediately removed Momma Hen from the pen and straight away the chicks quietened down and went about their chickie business. Momma Hen was taken outside to the main flock where she did not receive a very warm welcome. All of the birds were ok with her - particularly the rooster who was VERY PLEASED to see her (you can read between the lines there, lol) - except for one bird, who was pecking at her viciously, and chasing her up and down the run.
I picked up Momma Hen and have now put an apron on her to give her some protection. She has places up high that she can escape to, and is presently sitting in a nest box - for which purpose I am not sure. She is a RIR so maybe she is considering laying again? Or maybe she is just looking for a safe place to hide. Either way, she is not pining for her chicks as I was worried she might. She does go and look in on them from time to time but is quiet and does not seem distressed.
So....Have I done the right thing? I can pop her back in again at night if need be, but I'm not 100% sure she wants to be with them OR the flock, lol. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks,
- Krista
I had been considering removing my Momma Hen from her four chicks who are now 5 1/2 weeks old and reintegrating her with the main flock (3 hens and 1 rooster). The Momma Hen and the chicks have been living in a sectioned off corner of the main coop where the flock could still see them. However, I was advised against removing Momma Hen by the good folk here on these boards, on the basis that it would not be good for Momma Hen to be able to see her babies through the wire partition, but not be able to get to them, and she (and the chicks) might get distressed.
I now feel my hand is being forced to do just that though. When I went out to the coop to feed, water and clean this morning, I found that Momma Hen was turning on her chicks. Any time they came near her (even before I dropped feed in for them) she would give them quite a vicious peck. At one point, she was chasing them down specifically to peck at them. I understand that this is normal behaviour, but am surprised it has happened so soon.
I immediately removed Momma Hen from the pen and straight away the chicks quietened down and went about their chickie business. Momma Hen was taken outside to the main flock where she did not receive a very warm welcome. All of the birds were ok with her - particularly the rooster who was VERY PLEASED to see her (you can read between the lines there, lol) - except for one bird, who was pecking at her viciously, and chasing her up and down the run.
I picked up Momma Hen and have now put an apron on her to give her some protection. She has places up high that she can escape to, and is presently sitting in a nest box - for which purpose I am not sure. She is a RIR so maybe she is considering laying again? Or maybe she is just looking for a safe place to hide. Either way, she is not pining for her chicks as I was worried she might. She does go and look in on them from time to time but is quiet and does not seem distressed.
So....Have I done the right thing? I can pop her back in again at night if need be, but I'm not 100% sure she wants to be with them OR the flock, lol. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks,
- Krista