Brooded 2 week old chick with a new limp.

[Jemezhens]

Hi all! I had two hens hatch three chicks two weeks ago. The tag teamed the brooding process and seem to continue that process with raising them. They're good moms! the chicks have done really well, although the hens haven't taken them out of the hen house yet. In prior hatches of the past I have noticed that "mom" usually takes them outside withing a week or so. Not this time. I check on them a few times a day, the chicks are doing great. this morning I noticed that one chick is limping. It is still eating and drinking well but must flap to get around. I thought I found a wound but it was just a poopy feather stuck to the foot. There is no swelling. Should I take this chick inside? if it were you would you take this chick away from the "moms"?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I wouldn't remove just one chick, pull them all or none. It could have gotten stepped on or attacked by one of the moms.

 

[Jemezhens]

I wouldn't remove just one chick, pull them all or none. It could have gotten stepped on or attacked by one of the moms.

Thank you, you are right, all or none. When they go to sleep tonight I will see where everyone is sleeping, if the babies are in the nest box I'll leave everyone be, I did notice this afternoon that the Roo has discovered their starter feed...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If you have any doubt about their safety pull them. The chick feed is usually tasty to those who don't get it.

 

[Jemezhens]

A cautiously pleasant update: Well I've learned the hard way not to name chicks too soon but today the little chick with the two mommas seems to be doing MUCH better, just a faint limp and they even went outside (sort of just to the outter most hen house door ) I believe her to be the buff orpington roo on the Wellsummer hen, mom's name is Poppy so my sister thought Azalea was fitting. the other two are BO on Agatha the Golden Cuckoo Maran: Pilar, and BO on Salmon Favorelle named Lelah: Maimie. Welcome to the world little ones!