How to manage a loner chick?

[turtlynne]

hi! all - had 'accidental' sneaky broody which would ordinarily be OK but then only one hatch from 7 eggs on the 6/3(couldn't there have been 2?) - right now I have hen and chick segregated in a refrigerator box inside coop with food, water, indirect fan(is 85-90 here in SC), intermittant light - I am unsure how to proceed - can't turn Mom and chick loose with flock because in past chicks have just walked right through the chain-link fence run(that's why there weren't going to be any more chicks and this was 'accident') - and met the dogs(Doom!) - but don't want to take chick from hen and have it be 'loner'(have read other 'threads' here with some info) - do not have access to other few-day-old chicks that I could keep with it in the broody box until they would be too large for escaping. Am not sure what to do at this point without investing in some construction I may never need again...can't make it a house chick - my Jack Russell would never abide that 'varmint' in his home. At this point I am not feeling like a very responsible chicken caretaker and would appreciate any wisdom/experience/suggestions you all could pass along. Thank you all - it will all work out somehow I know...

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I would put mom and chick in dog crate in safe area where they won't get eaten up from rats/weasels etc. and let mama hen out once a day when you do your chores to stretch her legs. I have had hens sit on fake eggs for months inside the nest boxes (not my choice LOL) doing just that, so she will be fine until chick is older. Just keep food and water from turning over, so it doesn't get wet and moldy in dog crate.

 

[turtlynne]

Thanks so much ChicksAreSweet(they certainly are!) - I am glad to know Mom will hang in there! Right now she is being great - I can see her showing chik how to scratch and she is VERY protective. I am fixing quiet area to try the crate technique. I chuckle as I am working and keep praying the chik will be hen!

 

[turtlynne]

Just thought I'd update in case anyone else had this challenge - I fixed quiet corner in coop for hen and Onesie - they pass thru main part of roost with everyone else into a sort of playpen area outside in run - the rest of flock passes thru playpen(jumps over door barrier which i will raise until Onesie a little bigger) but stays in larger outside area - all seem to have sorted selves out for roosting at night at opposite ends of coop and 'Mom' is VERY protective; herds chick here& there - but there has been no 'violence' since first day(it only took once). I have even seen Louie(the proud Papa) in the playpen area for brief time and all well(he is an extremely non-aggressive 'roo). Treats all around to keep them all busy and have been enjoying the new interplay. I have been checking on everyone more frequently just to be safe. and am still praying Onesie is a hen!