Newly Hatched chicks....couple questions!

[Newbie in NC]

Have three newly hatched chicks.......they are in the run / coop with the hens and two of the three seem to be doing great.....the one that we're concerned about seems to be slightly behind the others in it's activity and assertiveness......it doesn't follow the hens around or attempt to eat or drink on it's own (as the others do)......should we separate it and hand feed and water until it's stronger? Wife is worried that if we seclude just the one, the others will shun it upon it's return to the coop....? She thinks we should remove all three, so the hens won't know the difference when they are re-introduced to the flock? This is our 1st experience with chicks, so any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

[cybercat]

Yes remove them they are a bit too young to be with the big girls. They need more heat than they get from being in the coop. Are you feeding them chick starter or what the hens were eating? They should be only eating chick starter.

No matter if you take one or all you will have to reintroduce them as the older hens will have a pecking order.

 

[chickenfever]

Quote:
I agree. Unless they are with their mama, they need to be separated. Chicks need special care. Read up on the forum on how to care for baby chicks. Go to the learning center and they have a how to on raising young chicks. Hope this helps.

 

[kbmead]

Yes, I would agree to separate them. We have had bad experiences with older hens pecking at chicks. When you reintroduce in a couple weeks, do it gradually. We have had good experience with putting the chicks in the chicken yard inside their own cage--so the older gals can see them and get to know them, but can't peck at them. Some kind of dog crate or temporary box made of chicken wire could work for this.

 

[Newbie in NC]

Thanks for the advice!!! Will separate them right away..
To answer your questions......
They are eating a gruel mixture of laying mash and chick starter......we have been crushing it and mixing in a slight amount of water to soften.....the hens are teaching them to catch bugs, and they've been introduced to bread and grit treats already! It's pretty cool to watch the hens teaching them how to break up the bread crumbs!

The chicks ARE in the coop with mama......in fact there are three hens that seem to be watching over them on a rotating basis......so far, no pecking probelms, but we don't want to take any chances.......

Thanks again, everyone!

 

[chickenfever]

Quote:
If they are with mama and she is taking care of them, there may not be an issue. If she is abandoning a chick that's when you may need to remove the chick or chicks. Or separate mama and the chicks from the other hens. Don't feed layer mash to chicks, only chick starter. The calcium in the layer mash is too much for growing chicks and can harm them. Only give layer feed when they are at laying age.