Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => Chicken Chat => Topic started by: vickyb30 on May 12, 2011, 14:59

Title: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: vickyb30 on May 12, 2011, 14:59

Hi can anyone advise me, first chick was born at 11am today, but when it is coming out from under her I have noticed her giving it a peck a few times, is this normal?also it hasnt managed to venture over to the food yet, and past chicks I have incubated seemed to eat qyite soon, could I have maybe put the food to far away for it to find? as it hasn't really left mums side?

Thank you in advance for any advice  ::)

Title: First Time Mum Pecking Her Chick
Post by: vickyb30 on May 12, 2011, 15:20

Hi My chickens first little chick was born at 11am and when it comes out from underneath her, she gives it a few pecks, is this normal, ??

Thank you in advance  :D

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: evie2 on May 12, 2011, 17:24

Could she be bringing it back under her?

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: vickyb30 on May 12, 2011, 18:00

Thats what I thought - I am just checking, because when I added 2 more chickens to the run a while back, she pecked them and wouldn't leave them alone, but that was more aggressive pecking.
I am also wondering, when will the chick come out for a look around and have some food it is still under her and not been out at all  :( I am dying to get some pictures which are just the chick and have a little cuddle :)
I have attached a few pics of her popping out of mums wing  :D

Title: Re: First Time Mum Pecking Her Chick
Post by: jinty1911 on May 12, 2011, 19:36

Think this is one for Joyful.  :D

Title: Re: First Time Mum Pecking Her Chick
Post by: Caralou on May 12, 2011, 19:58

Yes! Mum is keeping it under her while the others hatch  :) Usually for the first 24-48 hours mum will keep them firmly under her for body warmth with the occasional peck to remind them to stay put. They live off the yolk sac during this period and after she will take them all to food and water.

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: bantam novice on May 12, 2011, 20:06

 :D lovely pic

Title: Re: First Time Mum Pecking Her Chick
Post by: vickyb30 on May 12, 2011, 20:48

Thank you,  I had to move her to a flat surface in the summer house as I have realised the chick will not get over the lip of house, (I had moved the house into our summer house) to a floor in summer house all padded with  blankets and straw, just so chick can   get to the food, (chick is a mini silkie), mum left her and went back to the house  :( I have put her back on the eggs and chick, but i am worried she might leave again, I have closed the door on the house now, do you think that might do the job?

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: vickyb30 on May 12, 2011, 21:14

Thank you I cant wait to get in there and take more pics lol  :D

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: JaK on May 12, 2011, 21:20

Very cute.  :D

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: GrannieAnnie on May 12, 2011, 21:52

The chick will be able to live off its yolk sac for a few days, then Mum should take the chick out and show her how to eat and drink.

But just in case, can you put the chick crumb and water a bit nearer?  make sure the water is in either a chick sized drinker or shallow bowl with marbles in so the chick can't drown.

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: vickyb30 on May 12, 2011, 21:54

I have done all of that, I have had chicks before, just not off a broody, I just dont know what is my role and what is hers. I like being the mum lol

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: GrannieAnnie on May 12, 2011, 22:02

Like you Vicky, I've never had a broody hatch eggs before, only with an incubator!  The good thing about incubators is that we get to see the chicks hatch, but then we have to do all the 'Mum' work, whereas with a broody, she does all the work, but we don't get to see the chicks for the first couuple of days!!!   :D :D

Good luck with it!!

Title: Re: First Time Mum Pecking Her Chick
Post by: Casey76 on May 13, 2011, 07:25

You can put a jam jar lid of chick crumbs in the hen house.  Then make a ladder/ramp from the door to the floor so that mum and chicks can get in and out easily.  the chicks will soon be jumping on and off the ramp as a game :)

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: agapanthus on May 13, 2011, 10:48

On a couple of occasions I've had to take chicks away from their mothers because of the mothers getting aggressive. I know one was a pekin, can't remember the other breed though. The pekin was especially aggressive and drew blood more than once on her babies :(

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: hillfooter on May 13, 2011, 12:33

She's probably just keeping them under her as there will be other eggs hatching and it's nothing to be concerned about as others have said.

Did you know hens will sometimes excrete tears to allow their chicks to drink when they are first hatched. So if you see a chick pecking it's mother's eyes it's probably drinking.  Also chicks are hatched not born.

HF

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: arugula on May 13, 2011, 12:36

Interesting fact of the day:

Quote from: hillfooter on May 13, 2011, 12:33

Did you know hens will sometimes excrete tears to allow their chicks to drink when they are first hatched. So if you see a chick pecking it's mother's eyes it's probably drinking. 

HF

:)

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: evie2 on May 13, 2011, 14:57

I shed tears for my brood, thankfully they don't peck my eye, well not in public ;) :lol:

Title: Re: First Time Mum is Pecking Her Chick
Post by: hillfooter on May 13, 2011, 15:29

 :lol: :D
HF