Hi,
Just wanting some suggestions on the best option.
I currently have a hen who already had 5 chicks, all well fed and going great. She has just had her 6th chick hatch (6 from 6, so yay), but it still hadn't been fed all morning and when I just checked it was pushed off to the side and was still unfed and very cold and I actually thought it had died. I cradled it in my hands as I've done before, and as it warmed up, it recommenced wiggling and had tiny chirps for food. so thats a good thing, but here's my issue.
I didn't want to put it back in with her, if she's not feeding it, amongst 5 others, so my options are:
1/ Put it in with another pair, with 7 chicks already, but i've got concerns that they already have their hands full, they are great parents (for first timers). and I'm very confident it will get fed, but don't think it's a smart move to give them another mouth to feed.
2/ Put it in with another pair with no current chicks, but with eggs due to start hatching over the next few days? These are first timers too, so I'm don't know if she will be a good mum yet (she's red rung). Also would they feed it if they haven't hatched any?
3/ Get it fed from the pair with Chicks, then put it back in with its parents.
If the pair with eggs, had chicks the decision would be easy to put it in with them, but in this situation I'm unsure. All my other pairs have only just commenced laying, so I have no other options..
I have currently put it in with the 7 chicks to try and get it fed, but will move it based on the advice I get here.
Thanks:)