Polish going after momma hen

[LesliesChickens]

Hi everyone! Here’s my issue..I need some guidance. I’ve had bantam chickens for about 3 years now.

-November 2024 I added a bantam polish to my flock to accompany my other Polish. That polish integrated well with the group
-February 2025, my only silkie, who is also top hen, goes broody. She’s about 4 years old. I get her 6 fertile eggs to sit on. All 6 hatch.
-i kept mom and babies in a divided area in the run with other chickens
-the other day i let everyone free range, including mom and chicks. All chickens are accepting of the babies but the Polish I got in November is now always trying to fight momma hen.
Why is she doing this? How do I stop it? I assume it’s pecking order? But why would she peck on the head hen who’s raising babies? And she becomes so aggressive about it. I have to lock up my Polish so my silkie and her babies and the others can range in peace. It’s getting exhausting.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Unfortunately that happens sometimes. I generally let them fight it out in increments. Separating and putting them together until it gets settled. The polish is looking to move up in the pecking order. Just watch she doesn't go after the chicks as well.

This is the main reason I keep chicks and moms separated by a fence for two weeks so chicks get strong enough to get out of the way if this happens.

 

[Mrs. K]

Are you sure that Polish is a hen? Sometimes cockerels are aggressive. Also - as she is the last added, I would assume the polish is the lowest on the totem pole? Often times that makes them determined not to be below the 'new' bird momma and all those strange things she has following her.

I would put the polish, and one hen she gets along with, in where you had the Momma and chicks. Keep those two in there for a good week or two, this will let Momma and chicks get comfortable.

By separating two birds, it will be a better integration when you add a pair back to the flock.

Mrs K