I have a silkie baby that has been delayed since it hatched. It does well for a bit, then gets weak. A bit of special care and it does better again. The last time I brought in inside for a little over a week and it got very strong. It's been doing well and mostly staying with the two roosters (who seemed to be caring for it). It's old enough to be weaned now and the hens (they had multiple moms) have already weaned the other chick.
I noticed a few days ago it was a bit weak again, but still doing ok - but I had a broody hen get off the nest (I have been taking the eggs) and start taking care of this chick. At first I thought it was just a fluke, but she is treating it like a baby chick. This hen has been broody once before, but never hatched any chicks. She is very young herself.
It's good for the chick to have a hen looking after it, but so different. A lot of my hens will accept babies from hatch to a few days old, but not this old.
I noticed a few days ago it was a bit weak again, but still doing ok - but I had a broody hen get off the nest (I have been taking the eggs) and start taking care of this chick. At first I thought it was just a fluke, but she is treating it like a baby chick. This hen has been broody once before, but never hatched any chicks. She is very young herself.
It's good for the chick to have a hen looking after it, but so different. A lot of my hens will accept babies from hatch to a few days old, but not this old.
