New Chicks attacked by my original flock.

[Michael Propst]

So he's dry and looking better, it is still painful to see him like that. I couldn't imagine the pain that chick must feel. The other two were bad, just not to the extent of this one.View attachment 1356881 View attachment 1356884

I would recommend getting some medication on those wounds Vetericyn Plus Poultry and adding some Electrolytes and Vitamins to the water for a couple days. You should be able to get both of those from your local TSC.

 

[happychickies101]

My hens are 23 wks and our chicks are 13 wks still waiting for size to be about the same. Next time, don’t put chicks in with hens. (Unless mother)

 

[happychickies101]

Yes, definitely go with electrolytes!

 

[bobbi-j]

My hens are 23 wks and our chicks are 13 wks still waiting for size to be about the same. Next time, don’t put chicks in with hens. (Unless mother)

Actually, if done properly, it works quite well to put chicks in with the flock at about 4-5 weeks old. But you can't just put them in. They need a chance to get away from the big ones, and hiding places, and extra feeders and waterers. It takes a lot of space.

 

[happychickies101]

Actually, if done properly, it works quite well to put chicks in with the flock at about 4-5 weeks old. But you can't just put them in. They need a chance to get away from the big ones, and hiding places, and extra feeders and waterers. It takes a lot of space.

If chicks are attacked, often times they go into a panic and even if you do have a hiding space for chicks, they frantically run around and don’t go back to their space and get killed by the hens. That’s far too young (in my opinion) to put them together and I will never be talinh those chances.

 

[happychickies101]

*taking

 

[ker0412]

View attachment 1356539 Hello everyone, I have introduced some new chicks to my flock. I have had them around 7 weeks, they are fully feathered and have had outside time in a cage every day, for the past two weeks to enjoy the sun and meet the older chickens. Well I let them run around my feet when I'm outside and my 3, one year old, hens just watch. They have pecked at them, but I thought is was curiosity not aggression. I moved them into the coop together day before yesterday. They did well, nothing was wrong, but this morning the most horrible thing to wake up and see. There were feathers and blood everywhere. View attachment 1356540 View attachment 1356542 I immediately took the chicks back inside! I have them separated. Only 3 of the 4 chicks were attacked, and one is in critical condition. With blood coming out of its ear and some head wounds. I have since put some antibiotic ointment on their wounds. So my question is how do I keep this from happening again? Why are my chickens attacking the babies? What can I do to stop them?

Just separate them and start the injured chick on some poultry electrolyte water and probiotics. Apply a mild astringent or antibiotic ointment. Hopefully it pulls through.

 

[ker0412]

Just separate them and start the injured chick on some poultry electrolyte water and probiotics. Apply a mild astringent or antibiotic ointment. Hopefully it pulls through.

Also, separate the injured one from all others...even the smaller ones. They will peck and may become cannibalistic.

 

[rebrascora]

That little one is looking loads better already. Well done on getting it cleaned up.
As regards your temporary solution of the strawberry bed cage, do check it over for being predator proof or have something inside that you can lock them in at night so they are safe from predators. It would be very sad to nurse them back to health just to have something come along and have them for dinner. Chicken wire will only keep chickens in, not predators out, so don't assume if it is made of that, they will be safe. Good luck with them.

 

[Kat C]

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.