cottonlouie
Songster
Ever heard of this before? We adopted 2 4 week old chicks from a friend who could not take care of them because their mom was taken by a Fox or coyote. We put them in the pen with the 11 week olds and adults, but provided them with numerous places to hide in that the bigger chicks could not get to. They did get pushed around a bit but the pen is huge with all sorts of trees and bushes and space so it was going ok. At 5 weeks the chicks started sleeping in the coop instead of their safety kennel. But they are still picked on a bit. One of the chicks is brain damaged. She was found frozen and unconscious one morning late May when she was a couple days old so my friend put her under momma and she revived but she is definitely special needs. She doesn't really forage well and wanders off a lot. Anyway, back to last night. She is six weeks old now, and still really doesn't get how to survive. When I went to the coop to lock everyone up she was cuddled up next to a broody silkie/Cochin who is about to hatch out 7 eggs (hopefully today). The broody was completely ok with it. When I went to let them out this morning she was still cuddled up next to the broody! Would a broody adopt a special needs 6 week old chick and raise it with her babies? That would be awesome because this chick needs all the help she can get. She is so sweet....loves people. She runs to everything big that moves, dogs, people, wheelbarrow....and wants desperately to be picked up and cuddled. She is a real nuisance because she doesn't get out of the way. Once I accidently raked her up...anyway, I hope momma broody adopts her and doesnt kill her once the chicks hatch. She is our little sweet pea and having a momma for an extended time might increase her chance of survival.