Single Baby Chick hatched last night

[Kimminykricket37]

Hey there fellow chicken lovers,
Last night a single chick hatched in the coup. There are two broody's protecting it. The other 4 chickens and rooster do not seem at all fazed or interested and are doing their thing in the yard. The main mum is sitting on it, while the other broody watches over (this broody is the bottom of the order).

My question is, should I separate the main mum and new chick or will they be okay amongst the flock? (Pic because nawwwwww)

 

[CluckerFamily]

I would separate mama and chick. I normally still keep them in the coop so I don't have to do an integration back into the flock later.
Is she still sitting on other eggs?

 

[Kimminykricket37]

I would separate mama and chick. I normally still keep them in the coop so I don't have to do an integration back into the flock later.
Is she still sitting on other eggs?

It was the only fertile egg, so we took the others away this morning.

 

[BleuSaphir]

So cute!!!

 

[SulkyBantam]

I would separate mama and chick. I normally still keep them in the coop so I don't have to do an integration back into the flock later.
Is she still sitting on other eggs?

Do you mean separate the Mama from the chick?!

 

[DogAndCat36]

Hey there fellow chicken lovers,
Last night a single chick hatched in the coup. There are two broody's protecting it. The other 4 chickens and rooster do not seem at all fazed or interested and are doing their thing in the yard. The main mum is sitting on it, while the other broody watches over (this broody is the bottom of the order).

My question is, should I separate the main mum and new chick or will they be okay amongst the flock? (Pic because nawwwwww)View attachment 2412796

As long as the other chickens are not hurting the broody badly then you should keep them there. Especially since it is a single chick early introduction is important.
I had two broodies hatch a single chick each at different times and they are protective over their babies. They had more personal time with one chick and keep them fat and healthy while keeping themself also well feed.

Also, a little side note single hatch chicks seem to be more friendly and are easier to bond with.

 

[Ridgerunner]

My question is, should I separate the main mum and new chick or will they be okay amongst the flock?

There is no one right answer to this. We all do these things differently. There may be something in the way certain people are set up that says one way is better than another for them, but that does not mean it is better for all of us. Some people isolate a hen while she is incubating and hatching. Some isolate them after they hatch. Some take baby chicks away for a broody and raise them themselves. I don't do any of these and what I do works for me. I'm not saying any of these are wrong, sometimes there are excellent reasons people might need to do any of these. For example, some broody hens kill their own chicks. Not many, but it happens. You need to base your actions on what you see in your own flock, that could be totally different form what I see.

I've never had a dominant rooster threaten chicks in any way. Some people have. My dominant roosters either totally ignore the chicks or helps Mama take care of them. I've never had a broody hen fail to protect her chicks from other hens or immature cockerels or pullets. Again, some people have. Most of my other hens, pullets, or cockerels don't bother the chicks anyway but occasionally one might. Mama quickly takes care of that.

One reason I like a broody hen to raise her chicks with the flock is that she takes care of integration. If you separate them you have to manage that yourself. After the broody hen weans the chicks and leave them alone to make their way with the flock the chicks have to handle pecking order issues by themselves, Mama does not do that for them. Mine have always been able to manage, whether the hen weans them at three weeks or ten weeks. Having extra room at this phase can help.

Good luck however you choose.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Do you mean separate the Mama from the chick?!

No, separate mama and chick from the rest.

 

[SulkyBantam]

OK! I always do that, the others could kill them when you are not looking and its just not worth the risk.

Introduce them when they are a little older: big enough to defend themselves, but not so old the mama rids herself of them. Good luck!