[frenchliving]

Hi All

Its been ages since I have posted, all my girls have been well behaved!!

We have a right broody bunch and decided enough is enough, so we have "thought" we had taken all broody hens off there eggs HOWEVER!!! this morning one of my silkies appeared with a chick, its a yellow fluffy type (not a silkie baby) she was pecking and attacking it - something they have done before when not the same race, she has hurt its face so I have taken it away and put it in a box with hay, water and chick crumb! But its obviously lonely and missing its mum it wont stop cheeping! I have another silkie who has also become a mum within the last week, I put the chick on the ground to see if she would accept it but she wont - they all just walked around and ignored its cheeping apart from Dad! But he wont protect enough I feel??

So my question is - will it be ok, I don't have a lamp but do live in SW france so temps are not that low in the evening and I will bring it into garage? Should I give it a teddy or something to snuggle up to??? (perhaps a silly question) is there anything I can do to reassure and stop its cheeping?? I really think mum will kill it if I put it back - although she was very protective when I took it away!! Shes back in the coop sitting on a nest of eggs! Oh gawd!! We have only just got rid of the last 6 cockerals!!!

any advice would be great!

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Frenchliving, I had a lone chick once and gave it a little blue bunny which it loved to cuddle up to (and poo on!).  Also if you think it might be a bit chilly at night, I rigged up an ordinary smallish cardboard box once, with a bit of mesh across the top and an ordinary lightbulb in it.  I'll go see if I can find a photo, half ot eh box was covered with a lid too to help keep the bit of heat from the bulb in.

They really do need to be kept warm, could be another reason it cheeps a lot.  They cheep when they are hungry, cold and lonely.

Found the photo, but I'd actually put the light fitment into the box lid, but it didn't get too hot and start a fire.  Also not sure how big the photo will come out as its only 3kb!

[frenchliving]

Thanks Grannie Annie, yes I have put an old teddy in and it seems to be snuggling up! your system looks quite easy to replicate so I will get hubby who is an electrician to rig something up later! im sure he will have the bits in his van!

If I rig a light system up do you think it would be better to put another chick (if anymore hatch) in with it to keep it company (or one of the week old ones???)

Thanks again! I have brought them inside before but they have always had a mum! :-(

[Sassy]

If you are able to get an old type mop head with all the strands, these are good for the chick to disappear into just like they would Moms feathers. Good luck

[tosca100]

We have used ordinary light bulbs when we have needed an extra lamp. Also our first chick, Solo, was on her own for a while and we gave her a mirror which she formed a bond with, introducing the next batch of chicks to it. We took it away after a couple of days and she had got used to the new chicks and she cheeped for a while then.

[GrannieAnnie]

Awww Tosca, what a little sweetie! xx

[frenchliving]

Thanks peeps some great ideas here! She (hopefully) survived the night, but no sign of anymore newbies today!

Mop and mirror on the shopping list now :-)

[GrannieAnnie]

Awww fingers crossed for 'her'! 

[joyfull]

aww, hope things work out xx

[frenchliving]

Shes still with us :-) but looks very weak, shes struggling to stand up, ive been giving her water from a syringe but shes not really interested in food :-(

Ive tried to attach a pic, this is my daughter with her, (although we are not handling her too much) her eye is blooming and closed im not sure whether to try and clean it, why do older hens always peck at their eyes :-(

[Sassy]

Try cleaning with a mild solution of salt water made with boiled water. A cotton bud for babies ears would be ideal.

[frenchliving]

Thanks All for you help and advice but she died during the night :-( She appeared really weak yesterday, she hadn't really eaten at all since we had put her in the box.

Such a shame but we tried our best, still doesn't make you feel any better though does it!

Thanks again

[tosca100]

Aww so sorry. You will be more prepared if it happens again.

[Sassy]

You did your best and if it wasn't meant to be it is usually better this way. Nature can be tough

[joyfull]

aww so sorry