Will old hen kill chicks.

[Animalsanctuary10]

We recently got 9 week old chicks and still have an old (still is active and healthy) hen and am wondering if she will kill the chicks when alone together (mainly at night)? She has pecked them before.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Keep the chicks separately at night or any time you can't watch at least for a few weeks to a few months. I personally pen my young ones up separately at night until they are 3-4 months, or until I feel comfortable doing so.

 

[Animalsanctuary10]

Keep the chicks separately at night or any time you can't watch at least for a few weeks to a few months. I personally pen my young ones up separately at night until they are 3-4 months, or until I feel comfortable doing so.

Keep the chicks separately at night or any time you can't watch at least for a few weeks to a few months. I personally pen my young ones up separately at night until they are 3-4 months, or until I feel comfortable doing so.

Even if there is one hen and 14 young ones?

 

[Mylied]

I've not had a problem adding a bunch of younger to a smaller group of older. I'd just keep a close eye on it and separate if you see blood.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Even if there is one hen and 14 young ones?

It all depends on the hen. I like being cautious. I've seen hens attacking chicks.

 

[centrarchid]

The "chicks" in first post are juveniles. She may thump them a little, but will quickly loose interest in doing more than an occasional peck. Since only one old hen, my first concern would be expanding roosting area so she does not make them all roost in the ground. Get them roosting up ASAP.

 

[Animalsanctuary10]

The "chicks" in first post are juveniles. She may thump them a little, but will quickly loose interest in doing more than an occasional peck. Since only one old hen, my first concern would be expanding roosting area so she does not make them all roost in the ground. Get them roosting up ASAP.

Our roosting area can hold 16-20 chickens.

 

[centrarchid]

Our roosting area can hold 16-20 chickens.

Will the old bittie share it? How are they dispersed on roost now?

 

[samcrook2]

Might be a little young but depends on your hen really and what her temperament is like. I would suggest as well when you introduce them do it at night. Wait till your old girl has gone in to sleep then add the young ones in with her. That’s how I’ve had the smoothest transitions with all my birds over the years

 

[ForeverFactor]

A couple of weeks ago I put my 8 juvenile of about the same age in with my two remaining 4 year old hens. They have pecked them a bit but nothing serious and the chicks know to get out of the way and avoid being in the hens space. I did have to put them in the coop so they would toost for about a week but for the past few nights they have done it on their own. In my case the hens haven't told them off for roosting at all because they prefer to roost in the rafters which the chicks can't reach. It feels like everyday the hens are a bit more tolerant but I think a lot of it depends on the particular hen. The top hen is less tolerant than the other one in this case.