Will a broody hen kill a flock mate??

[Littlefoot1106]

I've had chickens for a while but after losing a few I added some I got as chicks from cal ranch last December. I have felt from the beginning that these chickens are a little off, they don't seem as healthy and I've had a few behavior problems. One I'm dealing with is them eating their eggs. I've tried as many tricks as I've found online (diet change, calcium supplements, plenty of grit, ceramic eggs, golf balls, etc) they are free range and have fresh food and water daily.
One chicken went broody about 10 days ago so we got some fertilized eggs for her (I can't have a rooster) she has been sitting on them for a week now. The problem is 2 of my chickens just won't leave her alone and we keep finding empty egg shells after they were in there. So we separated the nest from the flock and somehow they still get in there! Crafty little birds. Well today when I got home from work I went to check on them and there is mama sitting on the eggs and another hen next to her-dead. It appeared there was trauma to her head (blood around eyes and beak, one eye missing from socket) but no other injuries. So the question is, would mama kill her flock mate if she felt her eggs were in danger? Also any other suggestions on the egg pecking issue would be great. Sorry for the long post. Thanks!

 

[ShannonR]

Yes.

 

[ShannonR]

You could try filling some of the eggs with something awful like mustard and leaving them for the hens to break open and eat. That might teach them. Personally. I wouldn't waste my time, it sounds like you've already gone to extraordinary lengths to prevent the egg eating. Putting them in the freezer will definitely stop the problem-- that is, if they haven't already taught the rest of your flock the same nasty habit.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Ugh! Egg eaters are the worst! If you have the time you can try remedies such as putting wooden eggs in the nest boxes for as long as it takes for them to get the idea. My choice would be to cull them all and start with a new flock. Egg eating is awfully hard to stop.

 

[Starburst]

You could probably try to collect the eggs as soon as possible if you have the time. Also using fake eggs, such as wooden eggs or even stones can help with the egg eating. I've even heard of some people taking those plastic eggs and filling them with sand or gravel. And yes, a broody hen may kill a flock mate if they feel their eggs are threatened. I'm sorry that you lost one of your birds.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

You've already gotten great advice.

Yes, a desperate broody hen could kill a predator of her eggs.

I second freezer camp with the egg eaters. You've already gone through all the normal stuff to discourage it. It's time those nasty hens were voted off the coop. I'd cull them rather than pass the headache to someone else.

LofMc