Albertine's being a great mum to her two 3 week old chicks.
Before she became broody, she was 2nd out of 18 in the pecking order, so was more or less the boss along with the top girl - Blanche.
I took her out of the run she is in with the chicks so she can have a 5 min break from them and was surprised the other chickens came charging at her, trying to peck her in a mean way! The cockerel decided he would join in the bullying too by trying to do the same as the hens (he was in his enclosure, so wasn't able to reach Albertine/Bertie).
Before being broody, Bertie wouldn't have tolerated this behaviour, but this time was desperately trying to run away from them.
So my question is..... When it's time for Bertie to stop being mum to the two chicks, will she go back to being 2nd in the pecking order?
When should I re- introduce her to the others?
She
has been mum to another chick before, but that was a long while ago so can't really remember if there was trouble then, but I
do know there certainly wasn't so much fuss then!!
Thanks
.