Maggie has abandoned her chick!

[Peppercorngal]

Maggie is a great Mother Hen, and has hatched eggs two years now. She hatched 3 early this year, and hatched one on June 16th. This morning I see that she had abandoned her chick. He/she is still rather small and is the only chick. I'm hoping that the other chickens (I have 40) don't attack it and kill it now that Mama's protection is gone. She came out of the run this morning and high tailed it into the coop, I think to lay again. Have you had any experience with this? Do you think the chick will be ok? His name is Pauly is a boy and Polly if a girl. Hatched out on Husband's birthday. What do y'all think???

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've had hens wean their chicks as early as three weeks, leave them on their own to make their way with the flock. They always have. My broody hens always raise their chicks with the flock from Day 1. I think that is important as to how the chick gets along with the flock. It sounds like yours has been with the flock for a while. And it sounds like you have lots of room, which is also important.

The only potential red flag I see is that it is a single chick. Chickens are social animals and like to be with other chickens. It will probably be OK on its own but may get into trouble if it tries to cuddle with a chicken, probably a hen, that has an attitude. I don't know if that will be an issue or not, probably not.

 

[2 many chickens]

I'd separate an area in the coop for her, with feed and water. She can still be seen by the others but not attacked. She is too little to be out there by herself.
My hen had enough of her three week Olds but the rest of the flock still haven't really accepted them. I separated an area in the coop for them. They are doing fine.

 

[2 many chickens]

Also I'd get her another chick close in age so she isn't lonely

 

[BullChick]

I agree that momma knows best, so let it be. Especially since she’s hatched before.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I've had hens wean their chicks as early as three weeks, leave them on their own to make their way with the flock. They always have. My broody hens always raise their chicks with the flock from Day 1. I think that is important as to how the chick gets along with the flock. It sounds like yours has been with the flock for a while. And it sounds like you have lots of room, which is also important.

The only potential red flag I see is that it is a single chick. Chickens are social animals and like to be with other chickens. It will probably be OK on its own but may get into trouble if it tries to cuddle with a chicken, probably a hen, that has an attitude. I don't know if that will be an issue or not, probably not.

Yes, Maggie was with the flock outside with Pauly from day two, so Pauly is "known" by the rest of the birds. Most ignore him/her. I totally agree that the only problem is that Pauly is a single chick. They have almost a football field size free range area, so Paulyhas lots of room to run away if needed. I'm hoping for the best here. Thanks.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Also I'd get her another chick close in age so she isn't lonely

There are no chicks anywhere to be found this time of year. I wanted to get a day old for my other broody hen, but can't find a one. I can incubate, but that would take another month, so it's not an option here.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I agree that momma knows best, so let it be. Especially since she’s hatched before.

Maggie had taught Pauly all the essentials of being a chicken, roosting, dirt bathing, scratching for bugs, etc. I am hoping for the best here.

 

[Shadrach]

You may find this isn't full abandonment yet, particularly if mum's egg cycle has started up again. Sometimes here I get an intermediate stage where mum no longer feeds the chick full time but doesn't drive it away either.
Three and half weeks is a little younger than I would hope for to be left to fend for itself but as Ridgrunner mentions, not that uncommon.
I certainly wouldn't separate the chick from her mum or the rest of the flock unless the chick gets attacked.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would let it be in the flock unless you see it's being bullied. Adding new chicks won't help the current situation, just give you more work. If your set up is big enough and your flock is fairly stable the chick will do fine.