Hi there. I'm hoping someone can help with my situation. I have two white silkies hatching out partridge chicks in the same nesting box.Well, yesterday I found a new baby in front of the mama, dead. Then I found a baby halfway hatched out of its shell. Somehow, it was out of the nesting box. I was shocked that the baby was still alive, it was ice cold. I figured I had nothing to lose by helping it the rest of the way out of its shell. She is in my house now in my brooder. I can't believe it but she is peeping and walking this morning. So this morning I found another new baby right in front of the mama, ice cold. I was sure it was dead and put it in my lap while I checked the other babies. All of a sudden, I felt its leg kick! I ran in the house, fired up the heating pad and rubbed her little belly. She started peeping 15 minutes later. Shocking, as she was so limp and cold when I found her. There are 4 more babies under the hen and I check every hour to make sure everything is ok. I hate to take them if I don't have to but, are the hens rejecting them?? I noticed a baby came out from under the hens and started peeping loudly at one point. The hens just looked at her. I've raided silkies before and the mothers always tuck the babies back under them. Are these hens just inexperienced? I've even considered the fact that they are white and the babies are partridge. That's a long shot though, since silkies are usually such good mamas. Here are a couple pics of the two I saved. Bad pics due to the heat lamp. Any imput would be greatly appreciated.
