A sad day :(

[Sussex19]

My broody hen has been very good at sitting on her eggs, and after being away for the weekend I came home to two lovely chicks. Then today, two more hatched, but nether survived, one had a splayed leg, and one seemed premature. And then this evening, one of the healthy chicks just died in the nest. I don't know why, the only thing that I can think of is that it somehow got crushed by the hen; but I really don't know. So now there's only one chick, and one still hatching, but I'm worried that I'm going to lose those as well. Can anyone think of anything I can do? I'm feeling really sad at this point, and also a bit guilty, as the hatch has been a bit staggered which was my fault and maybe that was the problem? As she's been a bit restless on the nest, and I've been encouraging her to stay?

 

[Callender Girl]

No words of advice, I'm afraid. But I am sorry for the loss of your chicks. Hope there's some success ahead with the last two.

 

[WIchickMama]

No advice either beyond letting nature take it's course. Good luck with the remaining chick and egg.

 

[Sussex19]

Thanks! Hopefully even if there ends up being only one chick, thats enough for the mother.
I when out to check on them this morning, and the healthy chick is still doing well, and the other one has hatched. However, it seems a little weak, it is chirping quite a lot, and moving, but can't quite seem to walk. Is this normal for a freshly hatched chick?

 

[Callender Girl]

Again, I'm not able to help you. I've only ever had one hatch -- the hen hatched three of her six eggs, one chick died before I even knew it was hatched, and two survived.

I hope you still have two live babies this morning.

 

[Sussex19]

Again, I'm not able to help you. I've only ever had one hatch -- the hen hatched three of her six eggs, one chick died before I even knew it was hatched, and two survived.

I hope you still have two live babies this morning.

There's still two babies this morning
The weaker one is getting around a bit better, but I'm still not confident thats it going to make it. Hoping for the best

 

[Sussex19]

Both chicks are doing very well!

 

[Callender Girl]

Wonderful news! Sweet babies!

 

[Tretinker]

I'm so sorry for your loss early on but these chicks look wonderfully healthy