Chicks Disappearing!

[AidKD]

Did you ever find it?

Nope, I have no idea what happened to it. The only thing that I can think that happened is the mama ate it

 

[The Birb King]

Nope, I have no idea what happened to it. The only thing that I can think that happened is the mama ate it

I all the broody hens I've ever had have been good mothers. That's unfortunet you never found it

 

[AidKD]

I all the broody hens I've ever had have been good mothers. That's unfortunet you never found it

Yeah, it is. She's always been a good mom, but an earlier chick that had just hatched also went missing, so that's what makes me think she ate it.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I hatched out my chicks in incubator, and after 2 days i gave them to a hen. One did get squished because of the nest box, now they are on the floor of a coop, separate from all the others.

When chicks are brand new they are all wet and squishy. If she stepped on one, (and I know this is gross to say, but guts out) She may just view it as food. My hen here didn't eat the chick she squished. But at a couple days, if they get stepped on they can complain and the mother may move off, but if she steps on a new chick they may not even be able to peep, or struggle if stepped on. I see this hen taking good care now.

Another benefit of giving the chick a couple days old is you can teach them to eat, and they can go to her with a full belly. not to mention being on their feet.

 

[The Birb King]

I hatched out my chicks in incubator, and after 2 days i gave them to a hen. One did get squished because of the nest box, now they are on the floor of a coop, separate from all the others.
View attachment 3555169
When chicks are brand new they are all wet and squishy. If she stepped on one, (and I know this is gross to say, but guts out) She may just view it as food. My hen here didn't eat the chick she squished. But at a couple days, if they get stepped on they can complain and the mother may move off, but if she steps on a new chick they may not even be able to peep, or struggle if stepped on. I see this hen taking good care now.

Another benefit of giving the chick a couple days old is you can teach them to eat, and they can go to her with a full belly. not to mention being on their feet.

I also snuck my week old chicks under my broody hen. I did it last year too and it worked great every time

 

[AidKD]

I gave the same hen a couple chicks she got tired of sitting on that I'd put in the incubator. It worked really well and the other chick doesn't mind at all!