separating injured chick from mom?

[twinmom0828]

Hi all! Honestly, I do not know what I would do without BYC! I've been a member and chicken keeper for about a year, but this is my first post. We gave our broody BO four 2-week-old chicks about a week and a half ago. They are all with my other 2 adult hens in the coop/run. Agnes accepted them all, and is a good mama, and the coop has been peaceful overall, or so I thought. Yesterday I noticed a few spots of blood in the coop and did a careful examination of everyone. I found one chick with a wound on her vent and missing tail feathers. I cleaned the site and applied some blu cote but I'm trying to decide if I need to remove her, and if she will be accepted back into her little family if I do. She is packing at the site herself, too. Is there any way to relieve her pain (I'm guessing that's why she is pecking at it)? Will mama take her back if I remove her to heal, or will I have to brood her out and introduce her when she is bigger? Tips and advice pretty please!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us! I would separate the chick from its mother.

 

[drumstick diva]

I agree

 

[N F C]

Nice to hear from you!

For the chick's sake, it's probably safest to remove the chick so further pecking doesn't happen to her. Once she gets a little older and can stand up for herself, you can try re-integrating her with the others.

Good luck to you!

 

[twinmom0828]

Thank you for all your advice! I was hoping to not have to separate her because we are short of space for brooding (I already have 2 older chicks who were too big to give to our broody hen), and I feel bad taking her from her mama. In the end, we just want to do what is best for her, and it sounds like separating her is it. The silver lining is, my 4-year-old will be very happy to have her favorite chick back indoors

 

[nj2wv]

Welcome to BYC !!