I have a Black Cochin hen that is starting to broody. Should I seperate her from the rooster. The reason I'm asking is that the rooster is always trying to jump her. So she can't sit on any eggs. What should I do.

(From my son)
(Also if anyone knows how to stop roosters and other hens from pulling out hens feathers, could they please tell me.)

When any hen goes broody and you want her to hatch eggs, she should be isolated in her own roomy pen with her feed and water in there. Place the eggs in a low box with straw and she will settle on them. Out of direct light is best. This will protect her from predators, roosters, and others who would disrupt her work. I keep them in the henhouse until mom and chicks are up to being outside during the day. They get moved in and out until they are able to be out on their own and will come back to the pen for the night. Hope this helps.

I have two RIR hens sitting on eggs. When they hatch, will the hens protect the chicks from all the other chickens, or do they need to be separated?

Alc, Separation! It could come as a sad surprise, if not separated. A hen cannot count her chicks, and really has no way to protect them aside from fluffing her feathers and holding wings in a threatening posture. If she flies after one chicken, she may run over her babies, now frantically peeping., and maybe running in all directions, totally vulnerable to the other chickens--who may be bent on "doing them in"! She will be frantic, maybe hysterical, and the other flock members can get in the fracus. The babies cannot eat or drink (and should be on Starter feed, not adult feed and be sure they cannot drown in waterers, if deep) . So while the hens are setting (and I hope you have moved them to a quiet quarters, where other hens will not lay in their nest), you can prepare a place for the hens and their chicks. Even the 2 hens may not be compatible, harassing the other's chicks, so be sure they have room for each brood! Good luck CJR