4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[smokiechicken1969]

Hi there

 

The little bantam chick my smokie hen had died after 3 days. its legs were splayed. we were all so sad, but my hen was clearly distressed and calling for it all the time. we got a day old chick (cream leg bar) and prayed that she would think it was hers and take it on.

 

she heard the chick peeping and went crazy for it. i popped it in her box, they looked at each other for a brief moment and then she tucked the chick underneath her and has been such a good mum its untrue.

 

the chick is now 5 weeks old. smokie is still mothering her really well, showing her food and letting her nestle in her wing. they are currently in a seperate run in the day with their own seperate sleeping box.

 

my question (eventually ) is,

 

the rest of the flock consists of

 

1 boris the bantam cockrel

1 black bantam hen, thats eva

3 ginger hylines, rusty, marbles, and d.c

1 mallard, syrus

1 aylesbury, merlin

the little chick is called coco

 

they are all a really laid back bunch and i have never seen them squabble.

 

they all peck around the wire inches from the chick but have taken no notice of her.

 

two days ago my partner went to change their water and left the pen open whilst he sorted some treats for the hen.

 

when he turned back around smokie and the chick were pecking around with the rest of the hens and none of them were taking any notice.

 

we nearly had a heart attack thinking the cockrel would suddenly realise and kill the chick before we got them back in the run.

 

smokie is still protecting the chick. she went beserk when the mallard came over to say a friendly hello.

 

when would it be ok to let them out of the run permanently.

 

does anyone think the cockrel will attack the chick? hes such a gentleman normally and so gentle. he loves being picked up and cuddled more than the chickens i think.

 

also at 5 weeks will rooks or seagulls come down and attack the chick?

 

any advice would be gratefully received.

 

chrissie

[chick wiggle]

Sorry cant offer advice as dont have cocks or chicks, just wanted to say my heart is melting at the thought of your hen and the little chick, ahhhhh

[smokiechicken1969]

ahh thank you thats a nice thing to say. our hearts were in our mouths when we put the chick in her box. the chick had been hatched in an incubator by a neighbour so as far as we know had never seen a big chicken before.

 

mother nature is amazing to think the chick knew to scurry underneath the the warmth of her new mummy.

 

i guess to people who dont have chickens we must bore them to death but to see the hen with her new baby is so touching. the chick is totally cheeky and sits on the hens back for a better view of whats going on. and to see its head poking out of the hens wing is hysterical.

 

love is a wonderful thing. lets hope the cockrel thinks the same.

[chick wiggle]

awww, thats so sweet, please please put pictures on

[quickcluck]

Oh yes, pics please

[smokiechicken1969]

ha okay. i know the chickens will be flatterd that you've asked.

[Egluntyne]

The chick will probably be OK whilst its 'mother' is looking out for it, but when she loses interest in a week or two, it will be very vulnerable. he may even turn on it.

 

The general advice is to not introduce chicks to a fully grown flock until they are at POL.

 

**Click**

[smokiechicken1969]

fantastic advice thank you. it must have been really lucky that none of the others turned on the chick when they had a little wander from their run. i took it for granted that because there was no fighting and that they're all so chilled out that it would be ok to let them mix now.

 

despite what a good mum smokie is being i think she and baby coco will be on their own for a bit longer!

 

many thanks again for all your replies.