Chicks die under hen during hatch

[kathye]

I have a young hen who twice has tried to hatch eggs only to have just one survive. The chicks seem to die under her as they hatch. The first time I moved 5 unmatched eggs to a hatcher and all did fine. This morning I found one alive and well with the hen, but 4others dead in the nest with 7 unhatched. I moved the unmatched to a hatcher, but would like to know why this keeps happening.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have a young hen who twice has tried to hatch eggs only to have just one survive. The chicks seem to die under her as they hatch. The first time I moved 5 unmatched eggs to a hatcher and all did fine. This morning I found one alive and well with the hen, but 4others dead in the nest with 7 unhatched. I moved the unmatched to a hatcher, but would like to know why this keeps happening.

I don't know why it's happening. But, is she the only broody option you have? What would happen if you let her brood until they are very close to hatch, then swapped her eggs out, perhaps leaving just a couple for her to do the auditory bond with, hatched the remainder artificially, and then returned them to her the night of hatch? I wonder if she's clumsy with them, or perhaps she is "helping" them out of the eggs before their vascular systems are ready for it. Are you seeing any signs of bleeding with the chicks?

 

[lazy gardener]

I don't know why it's happening. But, is she the only broody option you have? What would happen if you let her brood until they are very close to hatch, then swapped her eggs out, perhaps leaving just a couple for her to do the auditory bond with, hatched the remainder artificially, and then returned them to her the night of hatch? I wonder if she's clumsy with them, or perhaps she is "helping" them out of the eggs before their vascular systems are ready for it. Are you seeing any signs of bleeding with the chicks?

Also, how is she as a mother, once they've hatched. When you hatched the remaining eggs last time, did you give the chicks back to her?

 

[kathye]

I didn't give the chicks back to her last time, but yesterday I moved the chick and hen to a separate pen. She is very protective of the chick and seems to be a good mother. I will try to return any chicks that hatch this to her to see what happens. No blood on the chicks.

I hope she will help me hatch peahen eggs next year, but I will only leave them with her until 25th day.

Thank you for the help.