New chick with head injuries.

[kilby]

Hello,
just hours after her chick hatched the broody Chantecler started pecking it. That was after I picked her up to see
if the new one I heard peeping had arrived. It did but she got mad when I did that and started pecking it. (Same
thing happened when I picked up the other brooder's chicks but I got her to stop) So, I put it under her wing and
she settled so I went out to clean the yard. Got back in and the poor thing's head was totally bloodied.
Washed with hibitane and plucked out wood shavings. Held her warm is not being fed vitamins and aspirin.
Antibiotic ointment on head. She was not moving just taking very occasional breaths and now she tries to climb
up my chest to get to the highest spot I guess which is encouraging but very dangerous too.
Keeping her on moist heat, she is alert when aroused. She did alot of peeping when she could hear my pet
lovebird and the other chicks. I think if she can sleep she wont be in pain. Seems to like my company though and
cuddling.
I would like to ask if anyone has had similar experience and what they did.

 

[ochochicas]

My broody hen is fabulous. However, one time she did peck a chick on the head and killed it. I am assuming there was something wrong with the chick and she wanted to end its suffering. She has never done anything like that again.

Do you have any other chicks? If your hen isn't picking on any of the other chicks, I would assume there was something wrong with the one she attacked. You can give the chick supportive care, but it might have had something else wrong with it to begin with. She could also be frustrated if she feels threatened when you pick her up. Best of luck!

 

[kilby]

There was nothing wrong with it. It was her first. She just does not like being picked up. That is a perverse way to act just because I moved her and put her right back. I don't think she is going to be a good mother so I will take away any remaining hatches. If I had an incubator I would use that but now I am listening for peeps.