cockerel mounted 9 week old chick

[aart]

What I realised is that, the cockerel has obviously been mounting this chick a fair few times before I noticed a problem. Perhaps the cockerel senses something with this chick but, then I would assume a different type of aggression verses mounting?

Or he may have injured it and was the cause for the 'sick' chick,
or the chick got hurt some how and he is now wanting to drive it out of the flock?
No 'good' cockerel would mount a 9 week old chick.
It's really hard to say what went on in this situation, especially if they range all day.
Best of cLuck fingering it out.

 

[slordaz]

Aren't attacking her yet.... Plus the pullet is sick, I wouldn't risk the flock.

Chick isn't sick she's been hurt. read all of the posts please instead of just assuming and jumping to conclusions as that isn't a valid form of exercise.
slight fever is bodies response to injury too

 

[ChickenCanoe]

thank you for all your responses.

I have the chick separated, in that it cannot come down from the coop. the coop is about 3.5 feet above ground. In the coop i have an open dog carrier to place her/him in if need be. the other chicks and hens do not bother the chick. the cockerel does not go up into the coop. I know this.

The run is 4'x8', they are let out as soon as possible in the morning. It is locked when they have gone to roost. All chicks and one hen go up into the coop. The cock and one hen roost in the run.

The diagnosis of the chick- the vet checked it over completely. The only thing the vet found was a small temperature and a bit of soreness in the upper joints of the legs. The vet gave a antibiotic injection to the chick.

My flock are out all day long. on three acres. the flock returns to the coop for night-time or occasionally to eat. They might spend some time there if it is pouring rain.

All the birds are looking and behaving well.

In the morning, I check the coop. The unwell chick has clearly been nesting with the flock at night because they only nest in one area, and that is where i find the chick.

What I realised is that, the cockerel has obviously been mounting this chick a fair few times before I noticed a problem. Perhaps the cockerel senses something with this chick but, then I would assume a different type of aggression verses mounting?

I do keep an eye on the flock. I look continually for any changes or variations in behaviour. and thus far, it has been only between the cock and this chick.

I will give the chick one more day. If it's condition improves, I will keep the set up as is for a week. locking the cockerel and flock out of the run all day, allowing them in at roosting time.

I am in process of finding this chick a place/ possible permanent home. however the chick is getting rest now. I just keep my eyes on the situation.

It is always better to err on the side of caution but without being there, it sounds more like an injury than an illness.
I would still keep all the chicks separated till they are closer in size to the adults.
Barring that, I'd separate the cockerel till the chicks are the same size.

 

[Chicken Heel]

I have never integrated pullets in with older roosters until they are nearing 16 -18 weeks for this very reason. My grandfather had warned me of this when I first began raising chickens as a young lad.

 

[doublecrossranch]

Or he may have injured it and was the cause for the 'sick' chick,
or the chick got hurt some how and he is now wanting to drive it out of the flock?
No 'good' cockerel would mount a 9 week old chick.
It's really hard to say what went on in this situation, especially if they range all day.
Best of cLuck fingering it out.

That’s exactly what I was thinking. Poor baby.

 

[LeggyLeghorn]

the local vet took that pullet soon after I made this post. I ran into her about 3 weeks later; there was nothing wrong with the pullet and it was/is thriving with other birds-not just chickens.