The Poultry Keeper

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1267 Location: Correze

We've got 3 broodies at the moment, all with chicks of slightly varying ages (6, 4 and 2 weeks). One ("Angel", with the 3 eldest chicks) has been roaming the garden with her brood for about 3 weeks now (as the little ones managed to escape from their broody pen Rolling Eyes

.

The 2nd brood to hatch was a single chick. They're currently still in the rabbit hutch broody-coop. The other day, we decided that it was time mum ("Lucky") and baby had some exercise and the chance to nibble some grass ... so let them out. Well, it was a good job we were around! Angel attacked Lucky really ferociously!!!!! We intervened quickly, and fortunately Lucky had the sense to go back into the hutch, followed by baby.

Now, Lucky and her baby have been in full view of the rest of the birds all along, albeit in the rabbit hutch. I cannot understand this attack! We've not had problems re-integrating broodies before.

I'm now (obviously) nervous of letting Lucky out again ... and also of letting Piggledy out when her 3 are a bit bigger.

Any ideas?

As Angel is showing signs of abandoning her brood already (and sadly lost one of them yesterday Rolling Eyes

just disappeared, no trace Sad

), I'm starting to think along the lines of confining her for a few days whilst the others settle-in ...

Elliecat · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Devon

I don't know if this will work for you but I put Mum and chicks in a wire cage for a few days so that the other hens can get used to them all. It seems to allow them to see each other and then when I let them all out together they have got over that initial agression. Hope that might help.

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1277 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Off topic, I know, but welcome Elliecat, I love the avatar. Laughing

CP · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:38 am Post subject:

A few years ago we had 3 broodies with chicks. 2 got on fine together but one of these girls took great exception to the other broody & we couldn't let them out together, initially.

As the chicks got older & more independent, they integrated a lot better & when the mum's finally gave up their chicks, they all went back to normal.

Hopefully, yours will too vanessa. Wink

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1267 Location: Correze

Thanks for that, CP.

Elliecat, mine CAN see each other, that's why I was bemused.

Hopefully Angel will soon not be interested in other chicks anyway, as she seems to be abandoning hers now.