Babies eyes pecked by hens

[R1ley]

I'm really upset right now, I've just discovered that my first 3 day old baby chick has been attacked by the other chickens. The chick hatched under one of my hens and I left it there because I don't have a brooder and decided to let them raise it, today I just went to check on the baby and I see the poor thing on the ground; it somehow escaped the shed where it's nest was and was just laying near the food/water outside?. The mum hen was right beside the baby, another hen was also looking at the baby and tried to peck it; this is when the mum stood over the baby to protect it and tried to peck the other hen away.

I grabbed the baby and I saw it's eyes, her eyes are purple and swollen, the one on the left is worse as I can seen a lot of blood and red. It's left side of the head where their ears are suppose to be is also a bit red. I don't know if the baby is blind or not, she is keeping her eyes closed and I don't know. The only injuries I can see are her eyes and side of head, everything else is fine and she is walking and chirping fine like the baby doesn't care about being hurt.

I don't know which chicken did it or if it could of been the rooster, I don't want to put the baby back with them because I'm scared they'll kill it next time. How should I help the baby? She is looking okay for now, I've given her water and trying to get her to eat.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You should always separate mom and freshly hatched chicks from the flock for a week or two until the chicks get strong enough to get away. I use a piece of wire, formed into a circle, put around the brood, add a wire top if necessary. Other birds will kill them, separate them out.