Broody hen pecking at vent area of newly hatched chicks

[Little Coop on Salt Creek]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone can shed some light on why I have broodies that will peck at their new babies butts.

Back in December, we had 2 relentless broodies that we gave eggs to. One was a Black Australorp and the other a White Silkie. Now both of these girls were approx 1 1/2 years old and both have had successful previous hatches. Both of them ended up pecking at their respective babies vent area. We ended up loosing those chicks because it looked as if the intestine had started to protrude. We thought maybe it could have had to do with the cold, stormy weather we were having .. that maybe the chicks weren't healthy to begin with.

Fast forward to now. I just had 2 babies hatch on Sunday under our White Silkie (from December's incident). I checked the babies at hatch and again yesterday and they looked healthy. This afternoon, we heard a chick crying and went to investigate. It appears that the mama had pecked at one of the babies vent areas again. I cleaned it up and put on blu-kote.. but don't know if it will make it or not.

Does anyone have experience with this kind of thing? We are baffled.. don't know if it is a good broody gone to the dark side or if it truly is that there is a problematic chick that the mama is trying to "rid the nest of" so to speak.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Some moms aren't good moms. I would remove those chicks asap and brood them yourself before she kills them.

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

Is it definitely the vent or the navel? If it's the vent, there could have been a build up of poop there that the hen was trying to help peck off so the vent didn't paste over. If the navel it could be because some umbilical cord was left hanging and the hen couldn't resist pecking at it. Did you check the chicks bellies after hatch? Did they absorb yolks OK?

I agree you should remove the remaining chicks whatever the cause of the mother's pecking.

 

[Little Coop on Salt Creek]

So I took her babies and put her in the broody breaker crate. Why is separating them for their own good, so stinking hard?!?!

So I did check both of them over once they were dried off and walking around.. they both looked really good. The empty egg shells looked fine too.

I am super diligent with checking even our broody raised babies for dirty vents. The baby that was pecked had a protrusion underneath where you would think her vent would be. So I couldn't tell if it were her vent or not. We did see that she pooped so we are hoping she will make it.

Back to the mama, does anyone know how long it will take her to be broken now that she has no chicks? I didn't put her in with everyone else tonight so she didn't terrorize the flock trying to get back to her babies.

 

[Little Coop on Salt Creek]

I hope the non-injured baby will settle down.. she keeps coming out from underneath the mother hen heating pad to cry for her mom! Oh man, this is the sad part of letting the broody do the work

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've had hens have no clue what chicks are and are only interested in setting. I never use them again. Your hen will break in a week or so. The chicks will adjust in a few days. I've read stories of hens eating chicks, so I'm always cautious with a hen I haven't used in the past.

 

[Little Coop on Salt Creek]

I've had hens have no clue what chicks are and are only interested in setting. I never use them again. Your hen will break in a week or so. The chicks will adjust in a few days. I've read stories of hens eating chicks, so I'm always cautious with a hen I haven't used in the past.

It is strange.. because she loves to be broody and has hatched for me in the past and also taken adopted babies too. But she has done this twice now.. I don't know that I can let her have babies any more

 

[chickens really]

Yes... It's definitely sad hearing them cry for Momma. I wonder if you set up a look no touch for a couple of days if Momma would be alright with them if given more time? Supervised visits to see if she behaves..
My Duck Hen was a terrible mother. She would snap at her Ducklings to keep them from the feed and would go up to bed and leave them crying for her. This year she won't be allowed any eggs to hatch.

 

[aart]

The baby that was pecked had a protrusion underneath where you would think her vent would be. So I couldn't tell if it were her vent or not.

Need to understand where the umbilicus is in relation to the vent.
I had a great pic showing both clearly, but can't find it.
Butt(haha!) it's pretty easy to tell if you look closely.
I look to see the vent clearly to make sure it's clear, and also the umbilicus area.