AshenVulture
In the Brooder
- Jun 27, 2025
- 3
- 16
- 19
So I have three mature hens, one of which just hatched nine chicks, and recently one of my hens has been getting more and more hostile towards the chicks. I know there are going to be pecking order disputes as they grow, but it feels like it's escalated really fast over the past week.
So to establish some Context:
The broody hen is the lowest in the pecking order. She is a fidgety marshmallow who hates fighting even to stand up for herself.
The bully is in the middle of the pecking order. The bully has always been a bit of a jerk but not to the point of injuring another chicken.
The chicks have just reached 4 weeks old
They have constant and plenty access to clean water and fresh food.
They have a coop/run they stay in while i am at work, and then a fenced yard to run around while I am home in the evening.
A couple of weeks ago the middle hen started taking swipes at the babies when they would do things like cut in line for water or food, or if she saw them going for a treat she wanted. Momma hen has been interjecting and using herself as a shield, standing between the middle hen and her chicks. However, this last week she has escalated and I don't know how concerned I should be. Instead of just being food and water and treat aggressive, she has run crossed the yard to suddenly attack a chick which was nowhere near the food or water, pushing by mom to do so. She will single one out and chase it down to peck it. Last night she stepped on top of mama and actually grabbed one of the chicks to out from behind her. She grabbed the chick by the tail/back and pulled it away from mom. My partner was there to separate them before anything more could happen.
I have only had chickens for a year, and this is my first time having chicks, so all of this behavior is new to me and has me worried. As of right now, I have the middle hen separated from the flock for the day while I am at work and can't monitor them.
The chicks are also terrified of the middle hen, they will squeal and panic to get away from her and always give her a wide berth when out in the yard.
I would appreciate any input, suggestions, or wisdom regarding how rough other hens may be with growing chicks, and how I should be handling this behavior.
So to establish some Context:
The broody hen is the lowest in the pecking order. She is a fidgety marshmallow who hates fighting even to stand up for herself.
The bully is in the middle of the pecking order. The bully has always been a bit of a jerk but not to the point of injuring another chicken.
The chicks have just reached 4 weeks old
They have constant and plenty access to clean water and fresh food.
They have a coop/run they stay in while i am at work, and then a fenced yard to run around while I am home in the evening.
A couple of weeks ago the middle hen started taking swipes at the babies when they would do things like cut in line for water or food, or if she saw them going for a treat she wanted. Momma hen has been interjecting and using herself as a shield, standing between the middle hen and her chicks. However, this last week she has escalated and I don't know how concerned I should be. Instead of just being food and water and treat aggressive, she has run crossed the yard to suddenly attack a chick which was nowhere near the food or water, pushing by mom to do so. She will single one out and chase it down to peck it. Last night she stepped on top of mama and actually grabbed one of the chicks to out from behind her. She grabbed the chick by the tail/back and pulled it away from mom. My partner was there to separate them before anything more could happen.
I have only had chickens for a year, and this is my first time having chicks, so all of this behavior is new to me and has me worried. As of right now, I have the middle hen separated from the flock for the day while I am at work and can't monitor them.
The chicks are also terrified of the middle hen, they will squeal and panic to get away from her and always give her a wide berth when out in the yard.
I would appreciate any input, suggestions, or wisdom regarding how rough other hens may be with growing chicks, and how I should be handling this behavior.
