Mum Attacks 1 of the 15 chicks only

[Hatti]

Hi all,

I had two hens that hatched 8 chicks each with 3 days apart (the first one was a a 3 year old hen which decided to be a mum for the first time and the second one was last years chick- a polish)
The first one was a good mum but the second one (the polish started pecking the chicks and even gave the chick a hole on its head-which is now healing nicely as we are looking at it separately).
We decided after the first day that the polish was an aggressive mum and was not going to look after the chicks properly after watching it with the chicks the first day and decided to give all her chicks to the other mum (which accepted the chicks until the next day saw her attacking the smallest of the polish hens chick. We now have the wounded and the baby chick together and decided to integrate the baby chick back to the hen after spraying antipeck but she done it again.

We have the wounded and the pecked chicken together having fun and growing nicely. but how can we integrate them in with the mummy hen not pecking the baby chick and later when the wounded has fully recovered

 

[DobieLover]

but how can we integrate them in with the mummy hen not pecking the baby chick and later when the wounded has fully recovered

You shouldn't try. She is rejecting the one and will the other for whatever her reasons. Does the one look different than the others? That is sometimes the cause.
The Polish should never be allowed to set again. Some hens make bad mothers.
I would set up a brooder inside the coop using hardware cloth. Make sure that no big birds can get into the brooder but that it is fully open and airy and everyone can see each other. If you use chicken wire and one of the chicks puts it's head through the wire, it might be attacked.
Use a brooder plate for the heat source for the two chicks you now have to brood as it is a safer heat source and you won't overheat the coop for the adults by using a lamp.
I like to make and use baby bottles for the waterer as they keep the water clean and the brooder dry.

At about 4 weeks old, fashion a door in the brooder that only the chicks can fit through. Open the door after all the chickens have left the coop for the day so the 2 little ones can explore the coop and learn how to use the door to get back in. I would stay in there with them and maybe one other adult bird that is not too mean to them so you can monitor them and make sure they know how to get back into their safe zone. They will start to integrate themselves in with the flock and will join the hen raised chicks when she weans them.

 

[Hatti]

You shouldn't try. She is rejecting the one and will the other for whatever her reasons. Does the one look different than the others? That is sometimes the cause.
The Polish should never be allowed to set again. Some hens make bad mothers.
I would set up a brooder inside the coop using hardware cloth. Make sure that no big birds can get into the brooder but that it is fully open and airy and everyone can see each other. If you use chicken wire and one of the chicks puts it's head through the wire, it might be attacked.
Use a brooder plate for the heat source for the two chicks you now have to brood as it is a safer heat source and you won't overheat the coop for the adults by using a lamp.
I like to make and use baby bottles for the waterer as they keep the water clean and the brooder dry.
View attachment 2719228
At about 4 weeks old, fashion a door in the brooder that only the chicks can fit through. Open the door after all the chickens have left the coop for the day so the 2 little ones can explore the coop and learn how to use the door to get back in. I would stay in there with them and maybe one other adult bird that is not too mean to them so you can monitor them and make sure they know how to get back into their safe zone. They will start to integrate themselves in with the flock and will join the hen raised chicks when she weans them.

Thank you very much for your response. Right now I am keeping the two warm (as working from hope sometimes helps a chick mum) and keep them in my room overnight with a hot waterbottle over night (done the same with my chicks last year and it did the perfect job)

My next question is do you think i can integrate the one that the hen didnt want at night (just put it under her) or will she attack it?

it doesnt look any didfferent to the other ones she has (it is just the smallest of them all

 

[Cazook]

My next question is do you think i can integrate the one that the hen didnt want at night (just put it under her) or will she attack it?

I wouldn't. Seeing as you have one chick needing brooded anyway, it will probably be glad of the company from the polish.

 

[Chicalina]

you need to accept that you'll be raising these two yourself! Don't risk them getting injured again. Plus if you try putting one back the other will be alone.