Nine day-old chick attacked by hen

[marialane]

I left my Mother hen out with her nine day old hatchlings in the main coop area while I had the rest of the flock separated by a gate. I picked up one of the chicks and when I placed it down on the floor the Mother Hen I guess didn't know what happened and immediately tried to protect it and in doing so scared it so much that it escaped thru an opening and into where my flock was being kept. Well, I never realized how vicious it could get and one of my hens attacked the poor thing. All hell broke out in the coop where five minutes before it was all calm and right. Anyway, I managed to pick the chick up, and place it back into their safe area. Now the Mother hen has it under her with her other two. I guess only time will tell. Boy, I cried for a bit. I feel like it is all my fault. I don't know if I even want to have chickens anymore, this is hard. I'll guess I'll wait to see how it is doing. My thought is that it may die. So sad.

 

[terrilhb]

from Georgia. I hope the chick is doing well.

Here is some questions that will help more experienced people be able to help you better.
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Good luck.

 

[yotetrapper]

Yep, chickens can be vicious cannibals. First thing you need to do is make sure no more can get into the adult pen. Patch the hole it went through and any more you find. Chicks can get through any opening bigger than chicken wire, and they WILL.

 

[marialane]

There are no open wounds that I can determine and it does not appear to be limping; just keeping to itself mostly. I would think it is traumatized. And your right I couldn't believe how it fit thru the small hole.
I'll keep checking on it.

Thanks!