Lonely Chick

[Myron60]

Hello y'all,
I haven't been on for a while, anyways, I have a 4 week old chick whose mother, just started running the chick off about a week ago. Seems like very odd behavior, every time the chick gets close to her, the hen runs the chick off.
I have another hen who just hatched 7 australorp/buff orpington chicks a week ago. They are in my chick pen.
I was wandering if I could put the older chick in with the babies and mom with little to no problems. The older chick seems so lonely and pittiful it hurts to watch it chirp all day and try to get in with the flock, only to be run off by its mom.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[JanO]

That is strange behavior on the hens part, however I wouldn't put the chick with the other hens and her babies. The hen can, and probably will, kill it because she'll see it as an intruder.

 

[Myron60]

Thanks, JanO for the quick reply, I had been thinking that for a while now, and you have confirmed my suspicions. I feel so bad for the chick, just watching it chase after mom and then get pecked and run off. My Buff Orpington Rooster hangs with mom all the time, and the chick would run to him when mom ran it off, but not anymore. The chick will run over to the chick pen and stand by the fence when mom and babies are out scratching.
I can only hold the chick at night after it goes to roost, then the next day I can't get within 10 or 15 ft to it.
I guess I will let nature take its course.
Thanks again for you help.

 

[countrycakelady]

You need to get a mirror for him/her to 'see' their new friend, maybe a stuffed animal for comfort.that is, if he's by himself in a pen.....chicks do not like to be alone. the best bet? ..... I would have to try to get him/her in a night underneath the other Mom...hope someone else can be of more help...I can not stand to see a crying baby like that.

 

[ChickenLove6]

You could let it go in with your other hen and her chicks, but watch if for an hour or so. Look at the hens behaviour, if she starts clucking loudly then wait a little while until she stops. If she doesn't stop, it means she stressed out and not happy with the older chick being near her and her chicks. So take away the older chick. Of course if she tries to attack it then take it out straight away.
I'm sure once your chick gets to about 6 weeks old it will be able to hang round with the rest of your chickens a little bit more easily.
Good luck!!