Hen attacked baby chicks (2024)

FAQs

Do chickens attack baby chicks? ›

Due to the aggressive nature of chickens - and certainly free-range roosters - much care must be taken when gradually introducing new chicks to a rooster. In extreme cases, the rooster may attack, kill, or even eat the chicks, so it's worth taking the time to ensure this doesn't happen.

Her eggs are damaged as other hens fight for prime nesting box real estate. She might get up to take a break and sit back down on the wrong eggs, killing her embryos mid-incubation. As her chicks hatch, they may be attacked by other hens in the coop.

Some chicken keepers leave their broody hens in the main coop to raise their chicks in the flock from day one. This can be a risky proposition because certain roosters and hens will kill chicks.

A hen will bully, peck and even kill, anything 'chicken' that is smaller than she is. After the chick grows up (providing it survives) it will return the favor with interest. I am not at all sure what this pecking order achieves sometimes but it's simply part of what they are as chickens.

Pecking is a natural chicken behavior that allows them to check out their surroundings, including their flock mates.

They will steal chicks and raise them as their own. Some hens are very selective and will kill undefended chicks. And early on, like as the chicks are still hatching (it can take a couple days) hens may accept another chick. It's best to put it under her at night while she's sleepy.

Slip the baby chicks under the mother hen in the evening hours. You want it to be somewhat dark but you also want enough time to be able to monitor the mother hen and her new chicks. Once a mother hen has accepted her brood, she will be dedicated and protective of her new babies!

A chick usually leaves its mother hen's side when it is about six weeks old and fully feathered. At this point, the chick can regulate its own body temperature and does not need the hen's warmth anymore. The mother hen may take it differently depending on her personality and breed.

It's important that the babies are safe and protected from other hens and roosters, so separation at least after chicks hatch is a very good idea. Most times your broody will stand up to boss hens, but depending on the broody hen, the chicks, and the flock mates, you may have to consider separation.

Isolate the Bird

If an aggressive chicken or rooster is bullying the other birds outside of normal flock behaviors, isolating it can help curb its behavior. Have the chicken watch the rest of the birds go about their day without interference from the problem chicken.

How do I stop my chickens attacking my new chickens? ›

Provide Distractions And Space - You can make the whole process a little less stressful by letting your chickens free range so any newbies can escape attacks. It is also a good idea to provide plenty of distractions for your chickens. This can be anything from hanging greens to spreading kitchen scraps around the run.

Aggression and feather pecking or plucking are the two most common behavioral problems in chickens. They may be related and possibly have similar underlying components, including stress, overcrowding, and competition over resources such as food.

In the first century AD, the Greek historian Plutarch praised the many ways in which mother hens cherish and protect their chicks, “drooping their wings for some to creep under, and receiving with joyous and affectionate clucks others that mount upon their backs or run up to them from every direction; and though they ...

She also guides them to drink, rest, explore, perch, and roost. And they learn what to fear from her. She provides this care until they are about six weeks old and are sufficiently feathered to maintain their own body temperature, strong enough to perch and escape danger, and smart enough to make their own choices.

They feel empathy

Researchers have shown that when a hen's chicks become distressed — she does, too! Her heart starts beating faster and she'll increase vocalisations to her little ones.

The mother hen and baby chick connection

A mother hen helps teach the baby chick what foods to eat, how to drink, and how to socialize with other chickens. Mother hens are very protective of their chicks, and will even defend their chicks from predators.

Nutrition and environment. Two of the most important factors in preventing cannibalism are nutrition and environment. Nutrient deficiencies and boredom can both lead to hens attacking their flock mates and once they can see blood they will peck at it relentlessly.

Most predators of poultry will kill and remove chicks, often without any signs of disturbance, especially if the attack occurs at night. Unprotected nests are easy targets for predators. Missing or damaged eggs may be caused by skunks, snakes, rats, opossums, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, blue jays, and crows.