Two dead chicks :(

[Dodgersmomma]

Last night I put my 4 chicks in the coop for the 3rd day and when I woke up to let them out 2 were dead on the ground, they had been pecked to death by my bigger chickens and the other two were hiding in a corner. I rushed in to get the babies and the chickens went for the smaller of the two survivors, I managed to catch her before any really bad damage was done but there was no saving the other two, they were to far gone

. One was mine and the other one was my little brothers. I brought the 2 live chicks in the house and back into the brooder. I didn't know what else to do. They are two months old and are getting to big to be in the house. I had to tell my brother that a snake got to them but I feel so bad, my sisters chick (one of the survivors) was stumbling a little bit but seems good now. Is there anything I should watch for? They just want to sit on my lap and I think that's because I saved thier life. Can someone explain why my chickens did this? Can someone tell me how to stop it from happening again?

 

[savingpurple]

I have so very limited experience, but I would not put new chicks with and already established flock. The new ones need to be with the flock, but in a crate so both groups can see each other but cannot get to each other. As far as my experience goes, maybe up to a week.

I am so sorry for your loss, and maybe another with more experience will come on to help.

Also, when you do let the others out, make it a day you can be there to supervise, just in case you need to get the little ones out quick!

I have also read on here it is not advisable to add a certain age chick to an already established flock, but don't remember how young/old is recommended??

Hopefully another member will come on to help ! Good Luck.

 

[nurse_turtle]

It's their nature. Survival of the fittest. The cruel but vital rules of nature.

 

[Nicole01]

The same thing would of happened to me if I didn't integrate slowly. I separated the two flocks by a wire dog kennel inside the coop. I switched out the groups in the dog kennel and I did this for 3 weeks, until they were use to each other. It was a long process. I'm so sorry you lost two chicks.

It's best to wait until the young ones are least 3 months before introducing, so they have a chance to defend themselves.