Help on options for lone chick survivor

[chuckachucka]

A hen rejecting chicks will vicious peck at them and try to pick them up and throw them away with her beak. This s is very dangerous for the chicks. A hen who has accepted her chicks will lightly peck them to encourage them to snuggle under her and not wander too far sometimes, but it is very different.

If you think she is rejecting them, do not leave her unsupervised with them. It's difficult because you need to let her adjust to them but you can' t tell if she is accepting them without seeing her behaviour when they come out from under her.

What colour are the new chicks? Chickens are very aware of colour and are more likely to reject new chicks that are different to the existing chick.

 

[NJG6559]

Thank you chuckachucka, I thought to use the brown chicks so good on that. She HAS flung them a few times but as soon as they are under her she seems content and protective. I thought I’d leave her alone to settle but I will head out and gather them up.

 

[NJG6559]

When I got to the coop to get the chicks, I found them huddled in the corner away from her. This mama hen, me, gathered them back up and returned them to their pals. Should I grab the sole survivor chick to raise with the gang or let broody do her thing? If so, why. Thanks so much!