Chickens hatching naturally today, but problems with getting killed

[thedoktorj]

Well on of the hens decided she didn't like it locked inside and flew out the top. This is the same one that the rooster tried to push her eggs out of the nest box. So I'm down to two now, I found another broken egg today and could hear at least one chick under the mothers, but still haven't seen any. I'm gonna spend more time out there tomorrow after work and see if I can catch a glimpse of any live chicks.

 

[nchls school]

Well on of the hens decided she didn't like it locked inside and flew out the top. This is the same one that the rooster tried to push her eggs out of the nest box. So I'm down to two now, I found another broken egg today and could hear at least one chick under the mothers, but still haven't seen any. I'm gonna spend more time out there tomorrow after work and see if I can catch a glimpse of any live chicks.

By tomorrow the hens may want to bring the chicks from the nest; are the nests such that mother and chicks can come and go easily? Sorry to read about the hen that flew the coop.

 

[lazy gardener]

Since you have a flock that is not chick friendly, I'd suggest that you find some way to provide secure housing for broody and any remaining living chicks. I wish you the best of luck. My broody is not aggressive enough either, but most of my flock is chick friendly, especially my roo. Even so, one of my hens did injure a chick by trying to pull it under the door of the broody cage by the foot. They can be incredibly cruel. But, being exposed to chicks in a "can see but not touch manner" may help them to become more chick friendly. I'd be worried about the hen that killed the first chick trying to do so again. Sounds like your roo is a chick killer also.

 

[thedoktorj]

Yeah, as of today, the other two are still relaxing in their nest boxes with the remaining chicks and eggs. I get paid on Friday and will be able to get some more fencing and set them up a separate "see but not touch" area, but unfortunately, I simply don't have the supplies to set it up until then. Hopefully, they will be ok for another day and a half. At what point is it safe to move them and also to remove all the unhatched eggs and clean their nasty nest boxes? The smell and flies are starting to get pretty bad with all the unhatched eggs starting to rot.

 

[nchls school]

Yeah, as of today, the other two are still relaxing in their nest boxes with the remaining chicks and eggs.  I get paid on Friday and will be able to get some more fencing and set them up a separate "see but not touch" area, but unfortunately, I simply don't have the supplies to set it up until then.  Hopefully, they will be ok for another day and a half.  At what point is it safe to move them and also to remove all the unhatched eggs and clean their nasty nest boxes?  The smell and flies are starting to get pretty bad with all the unhatched eggs starting to rot. 

Your first post was two days ago; some of these chicks need food and water. Examine the eggs for pip marks, chirping, etc. and move the chicks to a place where they can safely eat, drink, and run around. Should there be more eggs to hatch give all the chicks to one hen and all the eggs that are hatching to the other hen. Discard the eggs that smell; hold the eggs to your nose and be quick-you'll know which to throw out as bad.

 

[thedoktorj]

I put food and water inside the hen house with them a couple days ago, immediately upon finding the dead one. They have easy access to it right outside the nest boxes. I put out both chick feed and regular layer feed for the mothers. I wasn't sure if I should handle them, but if it's ok at this point, I will go ahead and move them into my sunroom where I raised the ones I purchased at TSC, then give them another move when I can set up the closed off section this weekend.

 

[nchls school]

I put food and water inside the hen house with them a couple days ago, immediately upon finding the dead one.  They have easy access to it right outside the nest boxes.  I put out both chick feed and regular layer feed for the mothers.  I wasn't sure if I should handle them, but if it's ok at this point, I will go ahead and move them into my sunroom where I raised the ones I purchased at TSC, then give them another move when I can set up the closed off section this weekend. 

Sounds good and good luck. I hope you get a nice batch of healthy happy chicks.

 

[chicos]

Hi I got a large dog box with bars a metre long and put hay food and water in containers and set the hen in a box side on with hay and put a waterproof cover over it when the chickens hatch you Keep them separate from other chooks until they have their adult feathers the other chooks will still pick at them best to separate foe at least six weeks hope it helps.

 

[Teila]

Howdy thedoktorj

I am so sorry to read of the dramas you have had with your first broody hatch.

You have received some great advice to date and it sounds like you have plans in place and will be sorted soon.

While I did not lose a chick, my very first hatch I thought I would try leaving mumma and bubs with the rest of the flock; 5 x bantams. There was always some squabbling for their favourite nest box and that was OK until the eggs hatched .. then the little ones were getting caught in the cross fire.

Some set-ups and flocks are just not suited to broodies and bubs and I have learnt that mine is one of those.

For each hatch thereafter I have had a separate area where mum and bubs can be safe and happy … sure, it makes integration back into the flock when they are older a little trickier but at least they are older and a bit stronger.

Wishing you lots of luck with your little ones and hope you have time to share some pictures.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi, it sounds like a bit of a blood bath! For what its worth, i have made a relatively small triangular mini-coop for hen and chicks and i put them there on the same day that they have all hatched. This goes in the main coop which is actually a shed. I can leave the door open for the hen to poop / exercise etc, but the chicks cannot get out. Heres a photo

I move this around the garden and relatively close to feeding stations so the other birds see them all the time.

Depending upon the number of chicks hatched, i then upgrade their digs to a larger brooding coop as shown below.

I link this to a small run and move the run and coop around the garden. When the chicks are 3-4 weeks i leave the above coop in the shed (main coop) and open the door. The mother hen does her thing and leads the chicks around the garden.

From my limited experience, using a dominant hen to raise chicks is a good idea. Also having a number of feeding stations out of eye-shot of each other reduces aggression.

Hope this helps.

All the best

CT