Chicks neglected by mom hen! Help!

[kimberly0112]

I have two hens that successfully hatched three chicks. They did this together as a team despite my attempts to separate them. The first chick that hatched yesterday was neglected as they did not offer it any warmth. It died within hours. Now there are two that just hatched early this morning. So far the moms are pecking at them and paying more attention to the unhatched eggs then they are to the chicks. I do not want to loose these two chicks to the same fate. What do I need to do to make sure they survive? Or give them the best chance of surviving? Leave them be? Wait until the other eggs are hatched? (It's day 24) Or bring them inside under a heat lamp? Help!

 

[Lizz9311]

Disclaimer: I've NEVER hatched chicks with a broody. Anything I say is just from what I have gathered knowledge-wise from the forums here.

That being said, if you're really concerned that the mommas wont care for the chicks, then I say set up a brooder and put them in it.

 

[sumi]

I'd put them in a brooder if the moms are not interested. Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that a hen loses interest as soon as, or shortly after her eggs have hatched.