1 week old baby chick

[Gr8flady]

I had a broody hen that hatched a single chick about 9 weeks ago that she cared for and is thriving. This past weekend she hatched 2 more chicks and all
Was going well. I went out this morning and Momma and one of the baby chicks are gone completely. I’m thinking maybe a fox got them…. The other 1 week old is now hanging with the 9 week old. The 9 week old has been roosting at night with a cinnamon queen that I have. I don’t feel comfortable leaving the 1week old out in the coop at this point . I am going to catch it and bring in to a brooder . My question is, should I try and purchase some more baby chicks to put with the 1 week old?

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

I had a broody hen that hatched a single chick about 9 weeks ago that she cared for and is thriving. This past weekend she hatched 2 more chicks and all
Was going well. I went out this morning and Momma and one of the baby chicks are gone completely. I’m thinking maybe a fox got them…. The other 1 week old is now hanging with the 9 week old. The 9 week old has been roosting at night with a cinnamon queen that I have. I don’t feel comfortable leaving the 1week old out in the coop at this point . I am going to catch it and bring in to a brooder . My question is, should I try and purchase some more baby chicks to put with the 1 week old?

Yes. Chickens are flock animals, and having another chick will also help them not be singled out when introducing to the other birds.

 

[Gr8flady]

Yes. Chickens are flock animals, and having another chick will also help them not be singled out when introducing to the other birds.

Thank you! I figured as much. Went and got 6 more chicks. Now she won’t be so alone

 

[ameliahurst]

I would like to pony on your question here, if you don't mind, since I too was left with a single chick. Two moms went broody and ended up 'sharing' 14 babies but rejecting the only brown one. I ended up raising it myself, thinking when it gets of age it would work itself into the flock. We are at 8 weeks and still there are no signs of acceptance, but I'm hoping when she is full sized, she'll hold her own. I'd hate to think they continue this maltreatment beyond normal pecking orders. Thoughts?

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

I would like to pony on your question here, if you don't mind, since I too was left with a single chick. Two moms went broody and ended up 'sharing' 14 babies but rejecting the only brown one. I ended up raising it myself, thinking when it gets of age it would work itself into the flock. We are at 8 weeks and still there are no signs of acceptance, but I'm hoping when she is full sized, she'll hold her own. I'd hate to think they continue this maltreatment beyond normal pecking orders. Thoughts?

is she in a place where they can see her? that might help them consider her as a part of the flock. or, chicken math gonna chicken math, you could get the chick a similarly sized/aged friend, and when they are introduced to the flock, there will be less attention on one singular chick.

 

[BDutch]

Thoughts?

^^ or…
Another possibility is to add just one of the accepted chicks to the one that is alone. Maybe they disagree the first day, but they wil become friends very quickly. Do keep an eye on them. If blood is drawn quit this method.

In this case it might be better not to see each other. Put them together in a separate coop/large brooder with a roost, for approximately a week. After they are become friends try the see don’t touch for a few days/a week with the rest of the flock. Open up if you don’t see any aggression. Do keep an eye on the chicks, and separate again if necessary. I don’t expect very nasty behaviour anymore with her new companion.