Dead Beat Mama

[B_Chickle01]

Me again! Hope all is well! I had to come and ask my favorite chicken people(cause that’s what I always do with all and any chicken related topics) so any who.. you know the little cutie chick(only 1 hatched) my D’Uccle hatched out July 4th? Well up until a few days ago my mama started to kind of want to just roost up top with the rest of the flock and run around with them and not really watch out for baby anymore! I think I’ve read before that will happen but at this age? She’s been so attentive and awesome super impressed with her being a first time mama but up until few days ago she just wants to run around and not really look out for baby! I feel so bad cause the baby u can tell wants to be around her mama she chirps her balls off all day and tonight she chirped for a sec when she had to settle in below separate from mama There’s a culprit out of Bootsys flock(mamas flock they’re a little over yr) that has pecked the baby twice! Got it pretty good and I really think it was one of my Roos cause I happen to turn the corner and saw her running from him! The first time she had a tiny peck mark when she escaped from their encloser a ways back.. second peck was a biggin that she got morning of(I’m assuming right before letting them out)it was her first night up top with her mommy and rest of the crew.. the baby was slipped under mama on the roost at night..this was a week ago.. so I’m really afraid about putting her up there! I have 3 Silkies that are same age as her that she hangs out with lately I have a screened in porch and I’ll put Silkies and baby in there when I’m not able to sit around yard to keep close eye on them when everyone’s free ranging.. they all get along well so I put them 3 down with her so she wouldn’t be alone. Didn’t know if anyone had any advice? Or encouraging words

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The chick is 6 wks old, so not at all unusual for Mom to wean her - she's not a dead beat, she's done her job and it's now time to move on.
Make sure there's plenty of room that she can avoid adults and maybe have a couple of spots that she can sort of hide if she needs to. (where adults can't fit)

I do let chicks free roam, they usually find places to go to keep out of the way of the adults. You may need to open up the coop earlier to avoid some drama.

 

[yakitori]

I recommend to let them peck, and give the little one places to hide. The faster she finds her place on the flock, the sooner she will be happy. It’s unfortunate that she is the only chick, integration is always a lot easier when they have friends their own age to hang out with.

 

[B_Chickle01]

The chick is 6 wks old, so not at all unusual for Mom to wean her - she's not a dead beat, she's done her job and it's now time to move on.
Make sure there's plenty of room that she can avoid adults and maybe have a couple of spots that she can sort of hide if she needs to. (where adults can't fit)

I do let chicks free roam, they usually find places to go to keep out of the way of the adults. You may need to open up the coop earlier to avoid some drama.

I know I was joking.. as far as the dead beat mom comment. I remember reading they will do that once chick hits a certain age but I wasn’t sure if it was this age it seems soon. They get let out at 5:45(during warmer months with longer days) what would I be able to put in up top in there area that she could hide that won’t get knocked over or take up a ton of room? I was trying to think of things. And should I put the Silkies up there as well when I move the baby? Or just the baby? All mine free range together as well. But there are days that I’m busy in and out doing things and I’ll have them on my screened in porch because I’m afraid of leaving them all unattended with bigger ones.. I like to keep an eye on them cause things happen fast when I’m out there I spot it and intervene before anyone is hurt.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you have photos of the coop/housing?

Everyone's set-up is different.

 

[B_Chickle01]

Do you have photos of the coop/housing?

Everyone's set-up is different.

Yes I’m pretty sure I may still have some in my photo library. I don’t think i have recent one tho of up top now that we joined them!

 

[B_Chickle01]

These are what I have of up top. I’m not sure if u can really see that well from photos I have. Tomorrow morning I’ll go out and try to get better ones for you to see both sides of it as well.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You may not have enough space inside to make a hiding place for the chicks, but outside it can be as simple as one of those pallets leaned close to the fence - leaving enough of a gap so adults can't go behind it.

Inside is usually where an adult can corner a chick if they wish.