why are my cockerels going after my broody hen?

[Kelly FG]

they are 12weeks old, one standard welsummer, one bantam cochin. the broody is a standard buff orp and she looks just like the cockerels "mother".
Everytime she leaves the nest they chase her around the yard trying to tear at her comb and pulling her feathers. What the heck is the deal, they NEVER go after anyone else in the flock. In fact they are both terrified of the other big girls.
I'm new at this rooster thing, somebody please tell me whats happening!!

 

[Msbear]

Quote:
I always refer to the young cockerels as teenage boys. They like her but are not yet aware of how to treat a lady

And, she is easy pickins because of her broodiness. The other hens would put them right in their place.

 

[Southernbelle]

They're getting her because she won't run

When my broodies would brood in a closed nestbox, the roos wouldn't bother them, it was only when they were brooding on the floor somewhere. It got to the point that I was worried the eggs would get cracked from the idiot roo, so I set up a cage around her to keep him off of her. She was able to hatch out her eggs in peace!