Hen's behaviour with chicks

[daisypeggy]

I have had two hens hatch 4 chicks 4 days ago. Both of them were sharing the nest and have been working well together until today when the usually quieter hen has started scratching around and kicking the wood chips like a crazy woman. It's almost like she can't sit stil! The other hen is not doing this. All the chicks seem to be fine but I'm not sure if this behaviour is normal as this is my first hatch. Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks

 

[SunkenRoadFarms]

She's teaching the chicks to forage. Totally normal, the other hen will probably follow soon. Does she cluck to the babies? You'll definitely learn the language she uses soon (there's a come and eat sound, danger sound, back off sound,etc).

 

[daisypeggy]

Thanks for that! I haven't heard much language yet but I'm sure it won't be far away!