Maggie has abandoned her chick!

[Peppercorngal]

I've had hens ween as young as three weeks. She's obviously comfortable with the living conditions or she wouldn't have given her chick 'walking-papers'. This is not out of ordinary, it's just a very confident momma hen saying the chick is ready for integrating into the flock. There should be a bit of pecking (usually gentle) from the others, establishing pecking order and the flock being a village that is now raising the chick. I'd just make sure there's some areas that the chick can run behind or under, just in case.

Yes, Pauly has lots of room to run away and places to feel safe including the "playpen". My only concern is night and early morning when all the old grumpy hens are stuck inside the run and coop until I get up and let them out to free range again. There are 30 chickens in a 20 x 30 foot run and an 8 x 10 foot coop. They are "locked" in each night for protection from predators. He doesn't really have any place to go except nesting boxes during the night if I leave Maggie and him in there. I have no worries about the daytime. I think I need wine! Here's a photo of the playpen.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Put down a pallet or other thing on bricks so your little guy has something to slip under if necessary to escape. Otherwise fences with holes he can fit through or go under can work too for escaping.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Update: Last night Maggie went again into the "big coop" to roost. Of course Pauly went along. This time I didn't interfere and left them there. I woke early this morning and immediately went out to open the run and coop and see how Pauly was. Maggie and Pauly were still roosting in the same spot as last night! I guess it's going to be ok and I'll relax now and let nature take it's course! My only fear now is that Pauly will be a boy!!

 

[aart]

My only fear now is that Pauly will be a boy!!

Well, his name is Pauly....so you must already know, eh?
Post a clear pic of it's head and comb....it's 4 week old??

 

[Peppercorngal]

Well, his name is Pauly....so you must already know, eh?
Post a clear pic of it's head and comb....it's 4 week old??

This chick hatched on my husband's birthday so he wanted it named after him. I said ok, Polly if a girl, Pauly if a boy. I don't yet know what sex it is. It's an easter egger (mom) jersey giant (dad) mix. I can try to get a photo today.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Here's Pauly's photo from today. He is exactly 4 weeks old today. I want another pullet, but with my recent luck Pauly will be another rooster!

 

[aart]

Hmmm...comb and wattles looking a tad pinkish, another couple weeks will tell the tale.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Pauly is finally getting comfortable without his Mom. He came out of the coop this morning and Maggie the Mom ran off down the hill. He didn't cry or chirp at all. He went over and drank some water and for the first time that I've seen did not act frantic to be without his Mom. After he drank and tried to get some food (he wasn't too successful there because he is intimidated by the big hens) and finally went off to find Maggie. Things are getting better!!! By the way I have 3 feeders and 3 saucers of food scattered around in the runs, so he will not starve!

 

[Ebony Rose]

Pauly is finally getting comfortable without his Mom. He came out of the coop this morning and Maggie the Mom ran off down the hill. He didn't cry or chirp at all. He went over and drank some water and for the first time that I've seen did not act frantic to be without his Mom. After he drank and tried to get some food (he wasn't too successful there because he is intimidated by the big hens) and finally went off to find Maggie. Things are getting better!!! By the way I have 3 feeders and 3 saucers of food scattered around in the runs, so he will not starve!

 

[Peppercorngal]

Maggie and Pauly (which I thing will be a Polly!) are both doing well. Polly is now jumping down from the roost and leaving the coop alone without mommy Maggie! He is spending more and more time away from her without "needing her" it seems. Nice to see that she will be ok.