I had to move my chicks out to the coop today… They needed more room, they were making a dusty mess of my mud room, and the scent that lingered in the mud room was not the least Christmas-y. I worked on a conglomeration of wire dog crates and cardboard. They must be apart from the older hens who may pester and peck them. They need to share water but have their own food. They also need their own lamp as the weather is supposed to be very cold this week.
I think I made them adequate shelter. Time will tell.
I sat and watched them for a while. I was glad I did as Little Bitty somehow had a scratch on her wing. It had a drop of blood there and almost immediately another little chick pecked at the droplet. I knew immediately Little Bitty would need to be rescued. Chickens can be mean, brutal, and cannibalistic. Little Bitty wouldn’t stand a chance. She is so much smaller anyway and her feathers aren’t coming in as fast as the other chicks. She is now residing in my mud room under a light. She isn’t acting very well. I’m not sure if she got cold or is developmentally behind or if there was more to her tiny injury.
I’ve done what I could. I hope she lives and can make house chicken status!
Little bitty is well named and looks young. Hope she makes it.
Fingers crossed.
Little bitty does look smaller. ☹️