[martincarguy]

Hi, I have 3 Wellsummer Hens & 1 Cock. The hens won't sit to hatch but I have 2 Marans that hatch the eggs and rear the chicks. 1 Maran takes 2 5 day old chicks around the garden & protects them fiercely. A 3 day old chick followed the other chicks out of the coop this morning but the Maran is attacking it. Any advice would be great.

[Vember]

Any chance you could put them in a more enclosed space and keep a real close eye on things?
Is she attacking attacking or just kind of shuffing it out of the way?

Is the other Marran sat on eggs? or does she have chicks? could you try the little one with her?

Sarah

[martincarguy]

I would say that it is too aggressive to be shuffing it away. I have put it back with the other Maran who is sat on the last 3 eggs. I'm happy that the chick has plenty of crumb and fresh water but I'm not sure how to progress if it is not getting it's learned behaviour from an adult. I know some people say 'let nature take it's course' but I don't subscribe to that if I think I can help the situation.
Isolating them in a smaller area is something I can try. We have 15 chickens in total (and a trio of mad ducks) and they have an area of about 1/4 of an acre to roam.
Do you think that the Maran will accept the chick if it is in closer proximity? It would be difficult time wise but if I thought it would only take maybe a day or so I could probably manage it.
Thanks so much for your response and advice.

[Vember]

It's really tricky to say if she will accept or not
I had a ever so slightly just gone broody buff orp that I managed to get to accept 4, 2 week old cochins they were in a smaller space, job was done by the end of the day and that night she accepted all under her 

Snag with fetching it away and putting under heat is that it will be on it's own, not too bad if you could fetch 2 away. They would thrive no doubt, but as I'm sure you'll  know integrating them back into the flock will be more tricky than if you can let a hen look after them

Got to be worth a try giving them a smaller area


Sarah

[martincarguy]

Thanks so much for your time Sarah, I'll give that a go and post on here the results.

Kinds Regards, Martin

[martincarguy]

Hi, Sarah, I can't thank you enough for your advice yesterday. My Maran has accepted the younger chick and is leading all 3 around the garden quite happily today. I shut both Marans and all 3 chicks in 1 coop overnight, away from the others. Now they're all back in their usual places.

Thanks again,

Martin

[GrannieAnnie]

Waaahaaay, so pleased for you and the chicks Martin!!

[Vember]

Ahhh that's fantastic news


Sarah