The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: milgochickens on May 31, 2012, 09:19:57 am

Title: Hatching chicks .... will my other chickens attack them?
Post by: milgochickens on May 31, 2012, 09:19:57 am

Hi, I have a broody hen sitting on eggs and today is hatching day. I need to know if I should move her into a separate area when the chicks hatch, as I don't know whether or not my other chickens will attack the chicks. Does anyone know if the chickens will attack the chicks? Or is it okay to leave them all in the same run?



Thanks  :) :chook:

Title: Re: Hatching chicks .... will my other chickens attack them?
Post by: Fowlman on May 31, 2012, 09:37:08 am

Depends on your set up, if you have plenty of room they most likely wont. I have a broody at the moment with chicks in with the rest of the flock and no problems but they do have an acre to roam in.

Title: Re: Hatching chicks .... will my other chickens attack them?
Post by: jaykay on May 31, 2012, 09:37:34 am

My experience is that even with space they will attack, and maybe kill, them. I'd suggest you move mum and chicks to their own secure space.

Title: Re: Hatching chicks .... will my other chickens attack them?
Post by: milgochickens on May 31, 2012, 09:40:08 am

Yes I think i'll move them just to be safe, after three weeks of waiting I don't want anything to happen to my little chicks!  :)

Title: Re: Hatching chicks .... will my other chickens attack them?
Post by: Fowlman on May 31, 2012, 09:44:18 am

Sorry just noticed you mentioned they are in a run so yes as Jaykay rightly said separate them to be safe.

Title: Re: Hatching chicks .... will my other chickens attack them?
Post by: in the hills on May 31, 2012, 10:33:52 am

Yes, agree with Jaykay.

Title: Re: Hatching chicks .... will my other chickens attack them?
Post by: Mel Rice on May 31, 2012, 10:45:09 am

If the run is big enough you could put mum in a small pen within the run with its own bedroom.  this will make reintroduction easier.
 
Mine are fully free range during the day, but I give a new mum a separate bedroom at night(she has usually been in this old bunny hutch whilst brooding the eggs too)

Title: Re: Hatching chicks .... will my other chickens attack them?
Post by: milgochickens on May 31, 2012, 10:58:03 am

Well as all of you think it's best to move her and the chicks, then I certainly will! But i'm not sure whether to wait until the chicks have hatched so that I don't disturb them. Only one has pipped so far, so I still have a long while to wait..

Title: Re: Hatching chicks .... will my other chickens attack them?
Post by: in the hills on May 31, 2012, 11:27:59 am

Personally I wouldnt move them now ....... wait until theyve hatched. Just keep a close eye on things. Maybe run some wire to keep the other hens away. Broody wont want to move around now the eggs are pipping anyway.