Chick dying

[Rae2020]

Hello,

Long post ahead sorry!

I didn’t notice one of my hens brooding until maybe a few days in so by the time I found and moved her we had different age eggs and even a duck egg.

From candling I knew I would have a few late bloomers so I prepared the incubator. The hen had three hatch with her days apart from each other. Few days later I brought two more out to her after hatching inside, she took them right away.

I had two hatch within 24 hrs of each other, first one appeared fine but shortly after giving it to mama I noticed the chick seemed lethargic and had been abandoned. It ended up dying soon after bringing it back in. Second one I kept inside a little longer to make sure it was eating, drinking and able to run around. Last night I put it under mama while everyone was asleep but when I came out noticed it was lethargic and no longer able to open it’s eyes or walk. Is she injuring them? I didn’t see injuries on either one of the chicks but both seemed okay before going out to her and after not so okay. Her other chicks are thriving, even the two I hatched and out in with her.

 

[sourland]

It may be that the late hatching chicks are not strong enough to keep up to her and the older chicks.

 

[Rae2020]

It may be that the late hatching chicks are not strong enough to keep up to her and the older chicks.

Have any tips on bringing the baby back - it was eating, drinking and running around calling for others last night. I’ve gotten it to drink some water with a syringe

 

[sourland]

The first thing I would do is make sure that its core temperature had warmed. Supplemental heat for sure.

 

[NatJ]

I had two hatch within 24 hrs of each other, first one appeared fine but shortly after giving it to mama I noticed the chick seemed lethargic and had been abandoned. It ended up dying soon after bringing it back in. Second one I kept inside a little longer to make sure it was eating, drinking and able to run around. Last night I put it under mama while everyone was asleep but when I came out noticed it was lethargic and no longer able to open it’s eyes or walk. Is she injuring them? I didn’t see injuries on either one of the chicks but both seemed okay before going out to her and after not so okay. Her other chicks are thriving, even the two I hatched and out in with her.

How much age difference is there between the oldest and youngest chicks?
How big is their pen?
What is the temperature lately?

There is a chance the hen is injuring them, but I think it is more likely the youngest one(s) are not staying warm enough, because the hen is paying attention to the older ones who don't need as much heat (or who may have learned to peep louder and more insistently until she does warm them up.) Or if they are in a big pen, the youngest may be getting left behind when the hen takes the rest of the brood somewhere. Sometimes it takes chicks a few days to get good at following the hen (enough strength & coordination to follow, plus knowing that they need to stay with her.)

 

[WIchickMama]

Agree with the rest, likely not able to keep up and stay warm. Is mama and babies in a separate pen or out with the flock? maybe keeping her closed up with chicks for a couple days would allow it to catch up-not sure if this is something you want to do or just allow mama to do her thing with the chicks in the general flock. Otherwise i would bring it it, warm it up, give it some nutri-drench/sugar water and perk it back up. You might need to get it a friend if it can't go out with mama

 

[Rae2020]

How much age difference is there between the oldest and youngest chicks?
How big is their pen?
What is the temperature lately?

There is a chance the hen is injuring them, but I think it is more likely the youngest one(s) are not staying warm enough, because the hen is paying attention to the older ones who don't need as much heat (or who may have learned to peep louder and more insistently until she does warm them up.) Or if they are in a big pen, the youngest may be getting left behind when the hen takes the rest of the brood somewhere. Sometimes it takes chicks a few days to get good at following the hen (enough strength & coordination to follow, plus knowing that they need to stay with her.)

The oldest is going on a week old however the rest are only a few days. I have three that hatched today so I’ll keep them inside for a few days and see if she takes them. If not I’ll keep them with us until they can go out!

We lost the baby I originally asked about but I won’t make the same mistake with these babes!

 

[Rae2020]

Agree with the rest, likely not able to keep up and stay warm. Is mama and babies in a separate pen or out with the flock? maybe keeping her closed up with chicks for a couple days would allow it to catch up-not sure if this is something you want to do or just allow mama to do her thing with the chicks in the general flock. Otherwise i would bring it it, warm it up, give it some nutri-drench/sugar water and perk it back up. You might need to get it a friend if it can't go out with mama

She has a pretty good size pen away from the other flock that I use for new members!

 

[NatJ]

The oldest is going on a week old however the rest are only a few days. I have three that hatched today so I’ll keep them inside for a few days and see if she takes them. If not I’ll keep them with us until they can go out!

We lost the baby I originally asked about but I won’t make the same mistake with these babes!

I don't know what's going on.

That doesn't sound like enough age spread to be a big deal (I've done worse, and it worked OK).

It sounds like you've got a good plan for the next ones, keeping them in a brooder until they're nice and mobile and then watching carefully.