Need help regarding a momma hen and her chick

[Brightbird]

So one of our broody hens hatched a single chick almost a week ago, and everything was fine for a while. At first she stayed in the nest box with the baby, but then she tried to move them too close to another broody, and the broody got aggressive with the baby. So my dad and I chose to move the mom and baby into a basket a bit away from the other broody hens. She stayed there for about 2 days before she started moving the chick again. At first she moved them to the lowest floor where all the other chickens are, and then she moved them out of the basket to walk around with the broody hens nearby. Does anyone know why she keeps moving the chick? Is it because of stress or some kind of threat or is it just normal behavior? This is the first time our hens went broody and hatched chicks, not to mention this is the only chick that survived the hatching, so I’m a bit nervous and would like thoughts from those more experienced than me.

 

[The Chickadee Homstead]

So one of our broody hens hatched a single chick almost a week ago, and everything was fine for a while. At first she stayed in the nest box with the baby, but then she tried to move them too close to another broody, and the broody got aggressive with the baby. So my dad and I chose to move the mom and baby into a basket a bit away from the other broody hens. She stayed there for about 2 days before she started moving the chick again. At first she moved them to the lowest floor where all the other chickens are, and then she moved them out of the basket to walk around with the broody hens nearby. Does anyone know why she keeps moving the chick? Is it because of stress or some kind of threat or is it just normal behavior? This is the first time our hens went broody and hatched chicks, not to mention this is the only chick that survived the hatching, so I’m a bit nervous and would like thoughts from those more experienced than me.

It could be from a threat from other chickens
Or it could be just normal, who knows what the momma is thinking,she knows the best for her chick .
I think you should just keep an eye on her and let her do what she thinks is best

 

[FluffyDucky123]

I sugest you leave the chick with her mom. This might be best for the chick until you are sure that the older chickens are harming the smaller one. good luck!

 

[sourland]

Can you post a picture of the 'basket'. It is the mother hen's job to introduce her chicks to the flock and routine 'chicken' behavior.

 

[Anime2lover]

So one of our broody hens hatched a single chick almost a week ago, and everything was fine for a while. At first she stayed in the nest box with the baby, but then she tried to move them too close to another broody, and the broody got aggressive with the baby. So my dad and I chose to move the mom and baby into a basket a bit away from the other broody hens. She stayed there for about 2 days before she started moving the chick again. At first she moved them to the lowest floor where all the other chickens are, and then she moved them out of the basket to walk around with the broody hens nearby. Does anyone know why she keeps moving the chick? Is it because of stress or some kind of threat or is it just normal behavior? This is the first time our hens went broody and hatched chicks, not to mention this is the only chick that survived the hatching, so I’m a bit nervous and would like thoughts from those more experienced than me.

I think it's pretty norm. But to be on the safe side, we have our broodies all separated in their own pens when hatching.*

 

[Brightbird]

Can you post a picture of the 'basket'. It is the mother hen's job to introduce her chicks to the flock and routine 'chicken' behavior.

Here’s the basket. It’s a store basket from back when we had a general store, and it was the best option we had on short notice. There were small holes in the bottom and we were worried that the chick might get it’s foot stuck so we put an old towel in the bottom, though it looks like the mom moved it to the side a little.

 

[sourland]

That's not enough space for a hen and growing chick.

 

[Brightbird]

That's not enough space for a hen and growing chick.

We’re working on getting a separate coop up and running for them, it’s supposedly able to hold 5 to 7 chickens normally, but it’s just going to be for the mom and chick for now until the chick’s old enough to be with the other chickens. It should be ready soon, there’s not much left else to do, just a bit of cleaning.

 

[The Chickadee Homstead]

Here’s the basket. It’s a store basket from back when we had a general store, and it was the best option we had on short notice. There were small holes in the bottom and we were worried that the chick might get it’s foot stuck so we put an old towel in the bottom, though it looks like the mom moved it to the side a little.View attachment 3197291View attachment 3197295

I would recommend a large dog crate instead
That’s what I have done with great

success

Petmate Vari Dog Kennel, Various Sizes https://a.co/d/7po4wN6
This is what I used, 36 in

 

[Brightbird]

I would recommend a large dog crate instead
That’s what I have done with great

success

Petmate Vari Dog Kennel, Various Sizes https://a.co/d/7po4wN6
This is what I used, 36 in

We don’t have the money to buy a dog crate like that at the moment. We do have an old cage that we used for our Orpingtons back when they were chicks. Problem is I’m pretty sure it’s a wire cage and I heard of wire cages breaking hens out of their broody nature. There’s a metal cover we could put on the bottom but it’s real rusty and I don’t know if that would help anyway. On top of that my dad’s concerned that it may not be tall enough for the mom. Even if we do use it we’d need to clean it real good first since it’s been out in the elements for quite a while.