I am a Horrible Mother Hen..

[nikkichicki]

This is our first chick/chicken experience. My son joined 4H and wanted to raise some chicks. Thinking it would be fun and a great educational experience we decided to go for it... I went out and bought "living with Chickens" the book because we were told it was a great reference guide. We were going to start out with 10-15 chicks well that didn't happen... We ended up with 35 chicks.

The old men hanging out at the local co-op talked us into more because they were straight run and they said we would end up with about 1/2 roos and 1/2 pullets.

Well long story short we have had 35 babies in a box and a rubber made container I added a 1 gallon feeder in the large rubber made container until I could make it to town for a second small waterer.. When I set the water down I waived my hand under to get all the chicks out from underneath it... Well despite all of my efforts, I set the waterer down and walked away about 5-10 minutes later I went to change the paper towels and lifted the waterer up and there lay my largest RIR chick. I thought it was dead... I picked it up and it seemed dead but warm.. I blew in its face gently and the chick sprung up!!!! Well 2 days later it is still up and going strong the only thing is it shakes its head a little.

I am glad I didn't kill the poor thing and now my husband said he just won’t be able to dress it for the dinner table even if it is a roo, because I already traumatized it. They now call me the baby chicky murderer. They keep picking on me and every time I ask if the water needs changed they start blocking me from the brooder and make fun...

BOY DO I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

If it makes you feel any better, my momma duck used to step all over her little ducklings and they managed just fine.

I also had a duckling get smacked on the side of its head by its father and it held it's head crooked for several weeks, but grew out of it.

The little ones are very flexible.

 

[Stormhorse23]

I had to put a few chicks to sleep and all my friends called me a murderer. They've never even seen a chicken "up close!" I would fear one of them would bite it's head off or something..

 

[slyfoxpeeps]

My DH did the same thing to one of his first chicks, but he didn't catch it in time. Your lucky!!!

 

[SillyChick]

I also experienced the same thing! Well, I wasn't the one who did it, but still. I let my 1-year old niece to the chicks in the backyard. She was having so much fun with them that she stepped on one! The chick became limp for a few minutes, but became ok again later on.

It's alright to make mistakes. Don't worry - mistakes teaches us to do better and to learn.

Good luck and enjoy this wonderful adventure on chickens!

Oh, and welcome to BYC.com! Feel free to ask questions or post topics about chickens in the forum.

 

[nikkichicki]

Thanks for your warm welcome everyone... I am looking forward to this new adventure.