Hen attacked 8 week old chick

[reallynewatthis]

Last night, my husband found one of our 8 week old chicks all bloody and lying still in the enclosed run. He thought she was dead...she perked up enough to be taken to the vet. Unfortunately, her injuries were so bad (most of her skull was showing) the vet said euthanasia was the best choice.

We are assuming the hen who had dried blood all over her beak (without any injury) is the culprit. We have five adult hens, (now) five 8 week old chicks and three 6 week old chicks. They had been together outside several times before this past weekend, when we moved all of the chicks outside permanently. We brought the chicks inside last night for their safety...this morning, the offending hen was put in solitary confinement (she can hear the other chickens, but not see them right now), and the chicks are back outside.

I'm not sure what to do from here. We can give the chicks some more protection, but at some point, we have to integrate everyone, because we don't have enough space for an extra coop.

Sigh. Our two boys were very upset last night about losing one of the chicks. We have lost chickens before due to dogs and hawks, but this was different for them, since she survived the initial injury.

Any advice for future integration is welcome. Getting rid of the offending hen is an option.

Katy

 

[crumptz]

I'd build something temporary asap. I made a temporary enclosure that worked great and took less than an hour. I bought PVC pipe and the corners for the pvc to fit into. I had the hardware store cut the pieces: I'd suggest 4 5foot sections and 4 3foot sections. Just stick 'em together like tinkertoys to make a box. Then I got cheap chicken wire and connected it with zip ties- wha la! I would keep it in the garage at night and during the day just put them outside near the older hens. (the bottom was open so they can peck around on the lawn). When the babies get older, try again. Most likely your boys will use the enclosure... my son turned it into a water polo goal!

 

[CorinneP]

Sorry For your Loss.. The Thing is I am sure you have heard the Term Pecking order .. I believe it comes from Chickens. they do Fight for dominance and need to be ready to defend them selves with who ever they are placed with .. This is why I would strongly suggest Similar Hatching times or several spots to keep them until they are all sort of Equal .. At this time I have two separate areas for Babies working on a third. One area for my broody hen and babies.. Half a coop sectioned off for young same aged chicks.. etc.. They can easily and I am almost certain accidentally kill more fragile Birds. between stomping and fighting .. Good Idea not to have too many Roos too because boy can they fight !! When introducing new Birds I think they simply must have some supervision at First .

 

[I Heart Chicks]

I feel for you. I am currently trying to integrate 2 4.5 week old laced wyandottes into my existing free range flock of 1 Mottled Java rooster, 2 mille fleurs, 1 silkie and 1 barred rock, all batams. The Rooster was mad at the chicks at first...but now he could care less but the Mille Fleurs seek them out to pluck them. I have the 2 little ones in a a cage in the coop, but when I took them out today to observe them while in the coop with them, these mille fleurs were relentless! I dont know what to do, I am afraid the chicks will get hurt if I let them be, but I cannot keep them caged up much longer. I need suggestions too. I dont want to happen to me what happened to your poor little one, is sucks loosing chickens for any reason, but I cant imagine if it was because of my other chicken, who I love very much. I have to get this situated cause I have 6 more I will eventually need to add too. These little bantams are going to get a big surprise when these wyandottes outweigh them by 8lbs!!! lol! I guess I will have to just take my time on the weekends and stay with them while they hang out. I heard if you add them at night they tend to be more accepting of newcomers....I wonder if that would work....