- Apr 19, 2013
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Well Cricket my black hen is growling and pecking at the partridge baby, don't know if its the different color from her baby or that they are a week apart, I removed her from the broody area the two chicks still have to Moms so I think they will fine even tho I think the blue chick likes cricket best I think it will adjust Lilly's been raising it all along too. Cricket is standing there looking in talking to the blue baby makes me feel so bad even tho I'm mad at her for being mean to the little partridge. Any thoughts? I could try blocking off another spot for her and giving her the blue baby put it would be a pain and make it hard for me to get in and clean. Should I just let her get over it?
I may be mixing you up with other posters, but my thoughts are your problems are because of the way you keep these hens. I might be wrong, but I get the impression that these moms are first-time moms and you have them housed together. Didn't you let them brood and hatch the eggs with the regular flock? New moms, all new moms including humans, need privacy and a stress-free environment to bond with their babies and learn to be moms. If you are having any bonding problems, you really need to separate everyone so they can learn to be good moms.
Forgive me if I have misunderstood how you keep your brooding hens and new moms.