I have two momma hens with chicks that are about 4-5 weeks old. They have been in a big cage with a wire divider so they could see but not touch each other. Today I let them both out at the same time for the first time, and the two hens got in a big fight when one got too close to a chick that wasn't hers (one has two buff chicks, the rest are all black or barred).
I had to break it up (it was bad), and I don't know what to do. I can't keep them locked up forever. I just expanded the roost and was going to let them integrate themselves this week.
Both momma hens beat up the alpha hen today protecting their chicks, but they don't seem to be interested in coparenting. The chicks know which hen is their mom too, as they followed their respective parents after I broke up the fight.
I had to break it up (it was bad), and I don't know what to do. I can't keep them locked up forever. I just expanded the roost and was going to let them integrate themselves this week.
Both momma hens beat up the alpha hen today protecting their chicks, but they don't seem to be interested in coparenting. The chicks know which hen is their mom too, as they followed their respective parents after I broke up the fight.