What to do? Hen seems to be a little mean to one of her chicks

[sandy sea]

Hen seem to be a little mean to her chicks, I saw her pick one or two up and toss it by it wing. Whats going on, is this normal? Another question: there is another broody hatching eggs next to her and she is attacking the broody too . Should I move the still sitting broody or maybe move the hen with the chicks? the chicks are hatched by both hens.

 

[sandy sea]

Help anybody.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

I've seen mine peck at her chicks before...never seen her fling one by its wing...IDK....maybe someone can help you out.

 

[flakey chick]

How old are the chicks. If they are several weeks old, it's just mama's way of telling them time to leave the nest. If they are less than 1 week, I'd take them away. I would separate the other broody either way.

 

[sandy sea]

The chicks were hatched from both Broodies on Sat. and Sun. The nests are side by side, and the chicks just keep going from one hen to the other, The Cochin is still sitting on 5 eggs even though some of hers hatched a few days ago. The Welsummer hen is the one that was mean to the chick, she was even pecking the Cochin. today. Should I remove the eggs that have not hatched ? Should I split up the chicks between the two hens, and move them to separate areas in the coop? New to this HELP

 

[flakey chick]

Separate the broodies. A dog crate is good if you have one.

 

[sandy sea]

How long can I keep the chicks and Hens in the dog crates? Should I split up the chicks between both Hens since they were hatch by both Hens?

 

[KattyKillFish]

what a meanie! i think you might want to take all the chicks and bring them inside in a brooder

poor dears, i hope nobody loses a life!

 

[sandy sea]

If I use dog crates for the two hens and their chicks how long should I keep them in it?

 

[flakey chick]

Probably a few weeks. Try letting them free range together a little bit each day and see how that takes.