- May 29, 2011
- 46
- 18
- 99
So, I got six new chicks the last day of February after the fox was kind enough to leave me two of my twelve in the fall... I've kept them indoors in the stock tank and they have been doing great.
A week ago before a family party, my nephew calls and asks, if he gets some chickens for his kids, can we take them, after they 'have them' for the day. I tell my wife, we can take TWO and only two (which should be plenty), she tells him 'get one for each' (2kids) he hears "get one OF each" and comes to the party with five new chicks (thank God two breeds were out of stock!!).
Anyway, the point is we put the chicks in with the 5 week old pullets, and one of them really became a mama to them. A Week later I put the pullets out to socialize with the mature hens, and the one doesn't want to go. Flips out and runs away and runs back and forth. So I left her, and when I moved the pullets out to the coop I left her still.
She seems OK, and pretty content with 'her babies', but every now and then when I'm out there replacing the water or if I just check on them, she flips out and starts running back and forth.
I thought it might be protective, but once in a while she'll run over one of the little ones.
That made me worry that maybe she's going a little crazy without a 'social peer' to interact with. She usually seems calm, as I said happy to be there, but I want to make sure...
Any thoughts or input is much appreciated!
A week ago before a family party, my nephew calls and asks, if he gets some chickens for his kids, can we take them, after they 'have them' for the day. I tell my wife, we can take TWO and only two (which should be plenty), she tells him 'get one for each' (2kids) he hears "get one OF each" and comes to the party with five new chicks (thank God two breeds were out of stock!!).
Anyway, the point is we put the chicks in with the 5 week old pullets, and one of them really became a mama to them. A Week later I put the pullets out to socialize with the mature hens, and the one doesn't want to go. Flips out and runs away and runs back and forth. So I left her, and when I moved the pullets out to the coop I left her still.
She seems OK, and pretty content with 'her babies', but every now and then when I'm out there replacing the water or if I just check on them, she flips out and starts running back and forth.
I thought it might be protective, but once in a while she'll run over one of the little ones.
That made me worry that maybe she's going a little crazy without a 'social peer' to interact with. She usually seems calm, as I said happy to be there, but I want to make sure...
Any thoughts or input is much appreciated!
