Sooo much pooping

[mummy cluck]

i put our chick and its mum in with our other hens a few days ago and was gutted as i found out our chick is a cockeral but today something terrible happened and i feel really awful. We had put chick and mum in with other hens a couple of days ago and all seemed fine. Although chick did appear a bit nervous it didnt stop it rearing up at me and trying to "service" its mum .

I kept checking on how they was all getting on except today i was out all day. Well when i got back home went straight to see hens and was met by a horrific sight . The chick was dead . It was also missing most of its feathers and all its insides was pecked away and eaten. I know i couldn't keep it myself but what a horrible death its had just can't believe its happened and feel absolutely terrible

[Redwing]

I'm sorry to hear that

 

It was too young to go in really at less than two months old - its quite a common belief that the mum will protect its chick against the rest of the flock but as you've discovered thats not the case usually and most adult chickens will attack youngsters in the confines of a run

 

Dont beat yourself up about it though

[mummy cluck]

chick was just over 7 weeks old and was advised that it should be ok but you live and learn.Although this has put me off ever doing it again. unfortunately my son was with me when i found the chick dead. luckily my hubby quickly removed it before shane see the full extent of its injuries.

[CallyChook]

awww, sorry for your loss. Poor fella.

[craftyhunnypie]

Sorry to hear about your chick.

My youngsters don't go in with an established flock until they are point of lay or laying. I use the special integration techniques. That way they are old enough to defend themselves & on an equal level to the other hens. Oh & they will crouch for the cockerel.

 

It's best to keep chicks seperate.

 

Emma.x