Why is my silkie being mean to chicks?

[gritsar]

One of my silkies, that was broody but broke herself on day 15 or so, is being mean to my other broody's chicks. She chases one in particular. The chicks are pretty quick, so she hasn't actually caught one yet. I don't know what she'd do if she caught one. None of the other chickens in the flock bother the chicks.

Why would a silkie act like that? I thought they were all lovey dovey creatures. Both of the silkies are 8 months old, both have been broody but couldn't finish the job. If I had known my SF was going to be such a good broody mama, I wouldn't have even ordered silkies in the first place. I am very protective of the chicks and don't like the other birds messing with em.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have a theory. Don't know if there is anything to it or not, but it is a theory.

Silkies have a reputation for being good mothers. I think they get that reputation, not because they are any better mothers than any other broody chicken, but because they go broody a lot. They get more opportunities to be mothers, so they get that reputation. I'm sure you feel about your SF the same as I feel about my BA. A silkie could not be a better mother. My BA did great. Raised 15 chicks without a loss.

Often, when you read on here that a broody went to the wrong nest, it was a silkie. Often, when you read about a broody not protecting her babies from another hen, it is a silkie. I'm not convinced that is because silkies are worse mothers. I just think there are more of them.

 

[gritsar]

Well Jethro the silkie is going to chicky jail today. It's not like I don't have plenty of extra dog crates. I opened the coop this morning to find Jethro relentlessly chasing the chicks.

Mama hen is back to laying now, so even though she's still sleeping with the chicks at night, she's not really keeping an eye on them during the day.
Jethro is a little twit! She'll be lucky if I don't find some asian family in town that wants a free supper.

 

[Shiloh Acres]

Any chance she wants the chicks?

My silkies brood on top of each other and steal eggs from each other. Next time I'm putting a door to keep ONE broody to a nest. The chicks kind of "belong" to whoever they hatch under, but even so the others try to steal them. I have a huge sex-link pullet with two silky mamas ... I don't think even she remembers who really did most of the raising.

Just an idea.

 

[Jane Jill Jack]

My silkie was like that. I think it's because while the chicks are defensless and little, the silkie can finally get a chance to not be on the bottom of the pecking order.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
At first I considered that. However, I've watched her and she is definitely out to hurt the chicks. I think it's more like Jane Jill Jack described. Jethro sees this as her chance to get a few rungs up on the pecking order ladder.

I think I'll be locking the chicks up each night for their own safety and then releasing them in the morning.

 

[gryeyes]

......and another reason I will never get a silkie....

 

[artsyrobin]

wonder if she is jealous? and mad she didn't stay broody???

 

[AKsmama]

Quote:
x2 (that, and they just look weird. Sorry, people, JMHO)