Bad moms!

[XscoreX]

This is my very first hatch. Ive been checking every day to see how my cochin was doing with her eggs. Yesterday I picked her up and all the eggs looked ok, but I swore I heard little peeps. I thought maybe it was a song bird. Anyway I go in today and I find a broken shell under her but no baby. I looked everywhere. She is still sitting on the other eggs and none are hatching. I look around the run and find little dude laying out like he is dead with an obvious injury like he was pecked. I took him inside and put him in my brooder. He is doing great now. Why isnt the mom watching him? They are in there with my rooster and a non broody hen. Do i need to seperate them? The other eggs are pipping. What do I do with them?

 

[HuffleClaw]

Separate them from the other chickens. The others were likely the ones who pecked that chick and mom can’t stay on the eggs and run after the chick at the same time.

 

[XscoreX]

I have two hens sitting on two clutches in two boxes. New pippers! Do I put them in a brooder. How do I make sure they have access to water and fiod. Do I lock them in the coop? So many questions

 

[XscoreX]

Separate them from the other chickens. The others were likely the ones who pecked that chick and mom can’t stay on the eggs and run after the chick at the same time.

 

[HuffleClaw]

I’d just leave the hens alone in their nesting boxes as long as they are staying on the eggs. Bothering them too much gets them highly frustrated. Separate all non-broody birds into a different coop (if you can) because I’m pretty sure they were the ones who went after the chick.

 

[XscoreX]

Ok should i just lock the two broody hens in the coop and put the babies backnunder them. Do i need a heat lamp in case they wander off. Whats the best way to give them access to food and water. The nesting box is 2 feet off the floor of the coop im afraid the chicks will jump out and the momma will continue to sit on the eggs

 

[HuffleClaw]

@chickens really is my go-to for almost everything If she can, she might be able to help

Also @Wyorp Rock might be able to help as well

 

[HERSHORTNESS]

New hatched babies can go up to 3 days without food and water (as they are still getting nutrients from yoke that was absorbed). I wouldnt be overly concerned about food an water till all eggs under mom has hatched. Mom should be the ones to show them how to find food and water. Now if the coop they are in is elevated then you will want to put it in the coop with them.

 

[chickens really]

Well I'd definitely separate the Hens from the flock. I would cage her in a crate with food and water. The others hear Peeps and will kill the Chicks. You can lift her and the eggs into a separate pen and she will continue to hatch. I do it.

 

[HERSHORTNESS]

After all babies are hatched I would move them to ground level. At least until they can get up into it by following momma.