Integrating a lone chick

[kathie grey]

Hello - I currently have 3 2 week old silkies that were hatched under a hen and are being raised by her. I acquired a 5 week old silkie and hoped to be able to sneak her under the momma hen. There are actually 2 hens raising the babies. The first day went well. in the late afternoon I introduced her during dinner time. Mom let her tuck under her and even let her take corn out of her mouth. Everyone settled in for the evening and the new baby tucked in with the mommas and the 3 original babies. In the morning I noticed one of the hens (not the one that hatched the babies) was pecking at the new baby. I put her out in the run. The hatching momma was allowing the baby to cuddle next to her as they ate breakfast. A little while later...when I checked...I found the hatching momma chasing her around the coop and pecking at her. She will not let her join her and the babies anymore. I have not taken her out yet. She has been able to find hiding places. I really thought I had dodged a bullet since the fist few hours went so well. Any advice on how to proceed from here? Thanks!!

 

[Percheron chick]

The broody hen is just following the lead of the other hen. I would separate the broody and her chicks. Put the loner under her tonight and see how it goes. At 5 weeks, the chicks isn't far from being fully feathered and able to be out by herself. You might just have to keep her separate until she is big enough to integrate with the flock. I would wait until the other 3 are ready and put all 4 of them in at the same time.

 

[kathie grey]

Thank you!! I have separated the very aggressive broody hen. I raise my babies in the community. All my chickens are in one coop....the babies are hatched and raised in the nesting boxes and everyone has contact with them. I have done this for 3 sep. hatchings with no problem...so I don't have to deal with introductions. No one has ever picked on the babies...not even the rooster. This is the first outsider. Right now...mom and babies are spending their time outside of the nesting box...in the main area of the coop. I have 3 other hens in there sitting on eggs. The rooster and 2 other hens have been locked out of the coop for the day. The newbie is hanging in the nesting box for now. She has food, water and a Kleenex box to hide in. I have a web camera in the coop so I can keep an eye on what is happening. For the pat 2 hours they have been keeping to themselves and no confrontation. I want to try to keep her in the community until she is accepted. This seems like it might work........

STILL.....would like any advice or opinion on what I am doing. I don't want to make a tragic mistake...I love this new baby and don't want to lose her. I am a newbie myself and learning...but don't want to learn from mistakes if I can help it.

Thank you.