Two Mother Hens Fighting

[Crazy Wife]

Hello,

I have two mother hens, Gemima has two chicks (two weeks old) and Gladys has one chick (one week old). The two mother hens have gone after the other ones chicks, grabbing them, etc. I put Gladys and her baby in a separate area. Any idea how long they will need to be separated before they can get along and leave the other one's chicks along?

It seems rather violet when they go after the other one. I can't tell if they are trying to take the chick away for their own, or if they are trying to hurt the other chick.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks from Montana!

 

[LukensFarms]

Until the chicks are feathered out.

 

[sumi]

It's difficult to say, to be honest. Are you keeping the broodies and chicks in a separate area away from the flock? How big is the area you are keeping them in? If they are in too small a space that may be adding to the problem. I've kept broody hens with their chicks together, but they were in a fairly large chick pen. They did fight a bit, but managed to stay out of each other's way most of the time.