The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: sheepandponies on March 28, 2015, 07:35:53 am

Title: Chick was squashed :(
Post by: sheepandponies on March 28, 2015, 07:35:53 am

My silkie chick was squashed overnight probably by my big-footed cockerel.  Seems miserable but think I should bare the blame, and should have separated hen and chick from cockerel to prevent such mishaps?  What do others do when they have a brood of chick(s)?

Title: Re: Chick was squashed :(
Post by: Fleecewife on March 28, 2015, 08:55:39 am

I keep them separate until the chicks have feathered up.

Title: Re: Chick was squashed :(
Post by: lord flynn on March 28, 2015, 09:29:57 am

thats a shame :(


I keep youngsters separate until they are about 16 weeks actually, broodies have their own accommodation and I generally take them from the chicks at ~6-8 weeks.

Title: Re: Chick was squashed :(
Post by: in the hills on March 28, 2015, 09:53:36 am

Put my broodies into a separate coop. They stay there until the hen decides for herself that it is time to leave the chicks .... seems to vary with breed.

Title: Re: Chick was squashed :(
Post by: chrismahon on March 28, 2015, 01:34:36 pm

We do essentially the same as Lord Flynn. Broodies with eggs go into separate secure rearing units. The broody is separated when the chicks are 6 weeks and put alongside their intended coop and run occupants to become familiar with them and build up their strength. We've tried putting them straight back but they get badly bullied because their original flock has forgotten them- always difficult introducing one hen. The chicks get to laying age, so 26 weeks, before they get added to an existing flock.


We've had a chick damaged by the broody, so it can happen even without a cockerel there Sheepandponies.

Title: Re: Chick was squashed :(
Post by: sheepandponies on March 28, 2015, 01:49:29 pm

Thanks for your replies. I will know better for next time :)
 :)

Title: Re: Chick was squashed :(
Post by: HesterF on March 30, 2015, 09:50:00 pm

I've lost a couple stood on by the broody so it's not necessarily the cockerel. Don't beat yourself up!