Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: nerdle on May 05, 2019, 17:41

Title: Hatching eggs under broody Pekin - can it go wrong?
Post by: nerdle on May 05, 2019, 17:41

Absolutely can't wait to get new girls or hatching eggs for my lone broody.  I've been advised (and I trust her word) that some hens that are bullies can actually attack chicks that they have hatched themselves. My girl was the least docile of the group and did bully the others (very infrequently) so would it be unwise to take the risk of letting her hatch?

Has anyone seen this happen?

xxx

Title: Re: Hatching eggs under broody Pekin - can it go wrong?
Post by: grinling on May 05, 2019, 22:43

I have had 1 more dominant over the smallest,who was her mum, but another pekin hatched a maran, who was very protective of her mum.
I have always hatched and raised where the girls could see each other but not meet.

Title: Re: Hatching eggs under broody Pekin - can it go wrong?
Post by: nerdle on May 05, 2019, 23:00

I don't really understand - has a mother hen ever harmed a chick she hatched herself?

Overtaken by events now as she is unwell and needs a vet - great timing (bank holiday)!

Title: Re: Hatching eggs under broody Pekin - can it go wrong?
Post by: grinling on May 06, 2019, 19:33

Sorry, I have never had a mother attack a chick.

Title: Re: Hatching eggs under broody Pekin - can it go wrong?
Post by: nerdle on May 07, 2019, 15:14

Thank you.  I think it must be rare. x