? about one of my babies not staying with mama or socializing with other chicks

[jlippe]

I have a broody hen that hatched out 11 chicks the last one she hatched out has been or seems to be struggling. She/he does eat and drink but never follows mama around when she's teaching the others. Instead just hangs out by him/herself chirping loudly.
I will often pick it up to move it with the others but then slowly but surely it gets behind again.
She/he does walk but its very off balance at times and it definetly cannot keep up.

I feel bad for the poor thing and worry about him/her not catching up with acting like a chicken. She/he is 6 days old..

As soon as Mama hen moves more and more across the yard that one is hanging out in the same place..

I dont know what to do....

 

[cary 1973]

i would if it was me and just my personal opion bring it in and raise it my self maybe get another little chick with it but thats just me. if its left by its slef out side that leaves it wide open for predtors

 

[Corazon Ranch]

Wow, sorry to hear that a lil' guy is struggling. It's always hard to watch a baby fail to thrive.

Have you hatched many birds before, or is this the first time? I almost always have one that dies soon after.

Most people (myself included) would just let nature take its course. But I have seen people succeed in bringing lagging chicks back with intense TLC. Meaning that they brought the chick into their home, kept 24/7 watch on it, fed it warm mash and sometimes antibiotics too.

If you are willing to devote that kind of attention, the chick may have a chance, but even then you should know that the probability of it dying is very high.

It's always so hard to be helpless ... sorry I can't give you more help.

-Sara

 

[jlippe]

Thank you so much, I thought that I should bring it in...
Here all the chicks are happily sleeping under mama but this one is standing out in the middle of the brooder chirping loudly.. I am willing to give this baby a chance.

Maybe I'll bring the baby in with another one, my heart just aches and I know I should let nature take its course but I have such a big heart...