A
Anonymous
Guest
Hi everyone
I am looking for a little bit of help and/or advice. I recently purchased 4 Sussex Bantam ladies who have settled in very well to their new environment and produce lovely eggs every day. About 2 weeks after the ladies arrived, we introduced 4 Pekin Bantam chicks. The babies were kept in the house to begin with as they were tiny, and I gradually introduced them to the ladies until they were strong enough to be outside, with all the warm weather that we had. Over the last two days, the ladies have been attacking the babies. I've not had any issues with this previously, the ladies just ignored the others. The first morning I went to let the hens out, one baby was seriously injured. One wing is raw, no feathers etc just down to skin and various other feathers missing. This chick is now being treated with anti bacteria sprays to try to help it heal. This is my 4 year old sons chick so am trying to do my best by it! The second chick to be targeted is the largest of my babies, and has not been injured quite so seriously. Its been pecked on the nose and has some feathers missing. This chick is now also living in my utility room with Omlette, the other chick, until she heals a bit.
Can anyone shed any light on why the ladies have suddenly turned on the babies? They always share a coop, ladies upstairs, babies downstairs. I have now made a separate enclosure for the remaining babies to be in during the day, as I have one baby with fantastic fluffy legs and beautiful colours and don't want her to loose them!
Any advice greatly appreciated!
I am looking for a little bit of help and/or advice. I recently purchased 4 Sussex Bantam ladies who have settled in very well to their new environment and produce lovely eggs every day. About 2 weeks after the ladies arrived, we introduced 4 Pekin Bantam chicks. The babies were kept in the house to begin with as they were tiny, and I gradually introduced them to the ladies until they were strong enough to be outside, with all the warm weather that we had. Over the last two days, the ladies have been attacking the babies. I've not had any issues with this previously, the ladies just ignored the others. The first morning I went to let the hens out, one baby was seriously injured. One wing is raw, no feathers etc just down to skin and various other feathers missing. This chick is now being treated with anti bacteria sprays to try to help it heal. This is my 4 year old sons chick so am trying to do my best by it! The second chick to be targeted is the largest of my babies, and has not been injured quite so seriously. Its been pecked on the nose and has some feathers missing. This chick is now also living in my utility room with Omlette, the other chick, until she heals a bit.
Can anyone shed any light on why the ladies have suddenly turned on the babies? They always share a coop, ladies upstairs, babies downstairs. I have now made a separate enclosure for the remaining babies to be in during the day, as I have one baby with fantastic fluffy legs and beautiful colours and don't want her to loose them!
Any advice greatly appreciated!
