New Chicks attacked by my original flock.

[bobbi-j]

Chickens recover from wounds like that remarkably well. Some of the suggested treatments sound like people are unnecessarily going overboard on treatment. I did too when I first got chicks. I suspect most of the time no treatment is necessary for skin wounds at all, but I do usually do one smear of antibiotic ointment. Separating them from the rest of the flock and not reintroducing them until they are adults is however good advice.

Given the size of the coop and the circumstances, separating them from the flock and not reintroducing them at all is the best option in my opinion.

 

[Marge Carlson]

This is so interesting. My chicks are being raised by mom. They are just 2 1/2 wks old and boy are they explorers. I didn't think they could get out of their outside coop - but they did, so yesterday spent making it chick escape free (they found little holes to squeeze thru, then couldn't find their way back in). So question - how long will mom stay with the chicks and protect them? I've heard that mom will push chicks away at about 6 weeks - if she does, can I continue to allow them out with the other chickens? We have 2 hen houses - the new house for our flock of 28 chickens. The old house cleaned up for mama and her chicks. Mom & chicks have their own fenced in yard in the corner of the big chickens 1/2 acre. Mom & chicks are doing well (8 chicks) and are separated from the big flock - big flock can come up to the outside fenced area and talk to the mom & chicks but can't get to them. I'd love to know when to make the move to the big flock. My husband is all about doing it sooner than later - but I don't want problems like Makayla has had.

 

[bobbi-j]

I would make that move now while Mama still has those protective broody hormones going.

As the chicks get older, she will be less protective, meaning the babies will have to fend for themselves when you integrate. Do it when they’re young and they will have already been accepted by the flock when she weans them. That will make their lives a whole lot easier.

Your chicks have the advantage of Mama protecting them. Makayla’s didn’t. Reading back, it also seems the birds were a bit crowded. That will also cause problems.

 

[Marge Carlson]

I would make that move now while Mama still has those protective broody hormones going.

As the chicks get older, she will be less protective, meaning the babies will have to fend for themselves when you integrate. Do it when they’re young and they will have already been accepted by the flock when she weans them. That will make their lives a whole lot easier.

Your chicks have the advantage of Mama protecting them. Makayla’s didn’t. Reading back, it also seems the birds were a bit crowded. That will also cause problems.

 

[Marge Carlson]

What would you suggest for sleeping arrangements in the big coop? We aren't set up to separate them from the big flock at night. We have an old chicken tractor, but the other chickens could get to mom & kids.

 

[Eggcessive]

Usually the broody will show them where to sleep. It might be in a nest box all piled together, or on a low roost under her wings. Just watch the broody and chicks for a few hours to make sure the other hens are not going after the broody or chicks. I usually let my broodies raise their chicks right inside the coop in a dog crate for 2-3 days, then open the gate. She usually comes out with them to start showing them around, and they quickly become members of the flock. Most broodies of mine have stayed with chicks for about 5-6 weeks, but one stayed for 8-9 weeks, and one left at 2 weeks. Those poor chicks did well though by going everywhere together and sleeping in a roost box together until they got too big. Since the broody taught them how to forage early on they knew where food and water was, and the big chickens had accepted them already.

 

[Marge Carlson]

Thanks so much. Mom has been teaching them to forage already. I think we will open up her outdoor pen to the big acreage and watch her to make sure it works well. She has never been in the new "big" house yet - so she probably will bring the chicks back to her old chicken house. We also have lambs in the same pasture & they can be little devils pouncing around. They love to chase the chickens. So we will have to be out there and make sure they will be safe too.

 

[bobbi-j]

What would you suggest for sleeping arrangements in the big coop? We aren't set up to separate them from the big flock at night. We have an old chicken tractor, but the other chickens could get to mom & kids.

The other chickens won't bother them at night. Chickens are inactive when it's dark. My broodies have always huddled in the corner of the coop on the floor with their babies.

 

[Marge Carlson]

Update on mom & chicks. We are 3 1/2 wks old. Mom is now taking them out into the big field with the other chickens. She is still very protective, but the other hens know now not to mess with her or the chicks. She hasn't taken to the new coop yet - but I've been enticing her with treat time for the big flock - she comes running with chicks following, but hasn't decided to stay yet. One of these times, we will just block the old coop and she will have no alternative but to take the young ones into the new coop. I could move them at night??? or let it happen naturally - what do you think? So far she has been making awesome decisions for the chicks & I don't really want to second guess her. Thanks bobbi-j for all your help.

 

[Maddym]

By the looks of it does anyone think my wyandotte will make it? The black one?

I know it's not the same but it's still a bird. My quails scalp was ripped off before by another quail and he ended up recovering very well! Are the wounds deep?? Sadly he did pass away about a month ago he would cuddle with me so it was very sad for me but he was at the end of his life I could tell he was sick.