Dead Chick :-(

[Savvymamma]

Ok, my first attempt at incubating chicken eggs was not a total failure. Out of 24 eggs I had shipped to me from out of state, I had 1 hatch. It was a Standard Faverolle pullet.

I have chatted with her, tended to her, fussed over her, and made sure the brooder temp was right on. Well, she just turned 2 weeks and 3 days old today and when I came home from work, she was dead.

WHat did I do wrong??? She was fine last night when I checked her, even this morning before I went to work, she was "chatting" with me. The only thing I didn't do was give her fresh water this morning. I have been giving her vitamins, could she have had them too long? She was feathered out nice, very strong, healthy, even her weight is/was good. I don't understand, I am heartbroken. I have more eggs in the incubator, but was so pleased to have my little girl hatch on my first attempt.

Any ideas???

Rhonda in MIchigan

 

[trilyn]

Loneliness? Chicks/ens are very social animals. Were there any other chicks with her...from my understanding of your post-there was not. I'm sorry this happened to you, it is never easy losing one of these guys!! Heaven forbid, on your next hatch...you only hatch one..try a mirror and a feather duster or stuffed animal to keep it company. Or try and find some chicks nearby. Good luck!!!

 

[Raven1]

I am so sorry you lost her. Please don't blame yourself sometimes they just die you didn't have to "do" anything wrong sometimes it just happens

 

[sewchick]

Quote:
Yep it happens sometimes for no reason. I will have some black copper maran eggs in Jan or Feb. I will give you some test eggs for free if you want to pay the shipping. I really will need a tester to see how they do. Maybe you will want to try again. I could also throw in some white silkie eggs too. Let me know if you would like to give this a try. I hope I am not being pushy. It's not my intent. Sorry about your loss. It's so easy to really like the chicks and very easy to get attached to them.

 

[debilorrah]

Savvy!!!! I am positive it was the lonliness. As someone else mentioned, chickens and flock animals and do not do well without another. Sometimes when a lone chick hatches, a mirror can be used to fool it. But the best thing is another chick. Please do not give up incubating either. The first few hatches can be a trial, but it is really worth it. Do some reading here on BYC about hatching and raising chicks and you will learn and get it right next time.

 

[JustAChickenLittle&More]

Handy Chick, that was very nice of you to offer eggs.