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Chick/mother pullet help - !!

Jenks December 22, 2010 February 22, 2011

Forums

So my daughter let one of her banties brood over 6 eggs. It's been a really cold December, and the pullet is only 6 months old. I didn't think she'd be able to do it, but she did. 4 out of the 6 have hatched, the 4th was just yesterday. I checked on them last night and the 4th was still not walking well yet, but the mother was caring for them all well. I came out this morning and that 4th one is missing..... Would they eat one? Or could a field mouse or something come in and take one from the mama? Can I move them to a safer more rodent proof cage without stressing them out? Not only is the cage not sufficiently protected from mice (giant field mice that are like small rats), but it's a composting litter coop. It's not really the best environment (Cocci-wise) for chicks. I've NEVER let any chicken hatch their own before.....and they are such cute little balls of fuzz - I want to give them the best chance.....when I hatch them in the incubators, they go to a brooder that where their bedding is cleaned twice per day. If anyone has any input, I'd be grateful! I can't decide on whether to let the strong survive or assist. They are already on medicated chick starter, and I medicated the water too just in case....(for Cocci) [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1366.snc4/163864_15294806…]

critterkeeper Fri, 12/24/2010 - 17:49

My bet is that it wasn't a mouse that got the chick, but a rat. I can't say I have ever seen a mouse eat a chick (most will actually eat side-by-side with them), but I seen rats do stuff like that - and if a mouse can get in a hole, then a rat can too... :BH

Jenks Fri, 12/24/2010 - 18:30

Ya....My field mice are the size of rats....no doubt. I previously didn't think a chick could get through.... but there is not even a beak left so something took it out....I have never seen rats here, but if they are like the mice? They probably could pull it through the chicken wire. These are bantams and could probably squeeze through if they wanted.

Heidi Sat, 12/25/2010 - 00:29

My friend was recently given some Bantams ([i]banties? bantys?[/i]) and they are SO SMALL! They're like the size of pigeons. She has them separated from her larger hens ([i]white leghorns, solid black ones and a couple Rhodies, may have a Barred Rock[/i]) Anyhow, I think she may have a rooster or 2 among the banties and may want to get rid of them. Interested?
Also, this is just preliminary, if she cannot integrate them with her larger hens, she may need to re-home all of the Bantams. Would you/Day be interested in them? There is one *beautiful* hen whose feathers are either black w/ gold rims or gold w/ black rims. Soooo pretty. They are also very used to being handled, like pets.

Me ... it is darn near impossible for me to stand by and let the chips fall where they may. This is the reason I've got a kitten w/ neuro issues in my bathroom. She will be a permanant house addition and cannot ever rejoin her mother or siblings at the barn because she is as DEAF as a POST. Her neuro-issues are clearing up w/ a medication change, but she's still 'off'. I'm calling her Special K, because she's ... well ... *[i]special[/i]*.

Can you safely give the hen/chicks a radiant lamp for warmth?

Jenks Sat, 12/25/2010 - 07:03

Yes - they are tiny! These chicks are maybe an inch tall! So cute.

Some people say it's OK to integrate bantams with large fowl....not me. Chickens are just so mean. My LF are 9lb (female) to 13 lbs roos. The banties are lucky to make 1/2 a lb. Just not great match ups and the banties think they can take the 13lb roos..... suicide by chicken!

The hen sounds like a gold laced Seabright - maybe? There are a few breeds with gold laced varieties....I am not interested in any more roos! Another breed of bantams all-together is fine though. Daylin sells hers as pairs once grown at the feed store. She may be interested in a pair of them! But not just a roo. LOL

I put 2 heat lamps in there and covered the pen with a tarp on one side and a sheet of plywood on the other to keep the LF around her from harassing them. They are inside the barn, and still doing well, so! Fingers crossed they will be OK.

When I got Buster from the impound he was deaf - he slowly was able to hear more and more - he's still odd, but can hear a little now. Special K huh? You have kittens in your barn? More strays? My gosh you are a magnet. All cats around there must think, "I can always go to Heidi's House" ! LOL "She'll take care of me!"