Fall from roost kills 2 week old :(

[Beau coop]

My bantam RIR hatched 8 chicks 2 weeks ago. She went outside to the coop with them when they were less than a week old. They were accepted well by rest of hens. There was another broody out there- but that is another story. (she's inside hatching today)

Momma had been keeping them in the lowest nest box with her, until last night. She took them to the top roost. When I did the night check 2 babies where peeping crazily because they were left behind in the poop tray under roost. I gently put them up with mom.

This morning there were only 7 that came out from coop when I opened the pophole. The 8th had fallen off roost and was dead this am. Ugh! I am so sad.

Do I let this continue? Are they old enough to roost that high? Mom have choice of lower roost but went to the top.

Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[CamsCluckinChicks]

Hi. I'm SO sorry about your loss!!

I haven't had any babies from my hens yet (my oldest are about 6 weeks now), but I have had a couple babies 'jump' from my hands & land on concrete!! They didn't die, though. I'm thinking maybe something other than just the fall itself caused the baby to die...?

I know I'm not much help - sorry!! I just wanted to share that with you in case there's something else going on.

Good luck with the others!!

 

[Judy]

I agree, I doubt a fall killed it. If you don't seem to have anyone else sick, I'd guess it had some sort of internal defect, maybe a heart defect or something. They should have no trouble flapping their way down safely at that age.

 

[KinderKorner]

I disagree. A fall could of very well killed it. I had a chick dropped a foot and it died.

If it was me I would take the roosts out, and put the broody and her babies in there own area with no roosts.

Sorry for your loss.

Doesn't sound like a very good broody. My broodies always sleep on the floor when they have babies. With the little chicks safetly tucked underneath them.

 

[LesGan]

When my momma hen was ready to go back to the roost with new 5 week old baby chick the other hens were not happy about it. They pecked the baby and both momma and baby hopped off and went to floor. Momma hen stood on the floor looking up and around for a long time. I could tell she was considering some exposed rafters in the chicken house. Instead she went back to floor nest where she and baby had been sleeping. Concerning the high roost for yours.....is momma being harassed by others and maybe going high to avoid it? Sorry about your chickie. Leslie

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

I'm so sorry about your chickie, that must have been just terrible to see!

 

[Beau coop]

Thanks everyone. I have been talking about this with everyone who will listen. Poor non chicken people with the glazed over eyes!

Any way I think it may have gotten either squished and then ejected from roost or trapped somehow.

I don't know why she is taking them to the high roost. If I take it out everyone else will not be happy. Do just let nature take its course here?

 

[pheasantlady]

Hi there. Sorry about the baby. My advice, since you are the human and you are smarter than a chicken, is to be there at sunset or just slightly later (when they go to roost) and put the mama and babies in a nestbox (or equivalent). Do this every night until the babies have some kind of flying ability. Right now they can drop like stones off the high roost and they can easily die right then or of shock/exposure since they can't get back to the comfort and warmth of mama. It's not worth taking a chance since you obviously care a lot about your chickens.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

I agree with the post suggesting you place them in a nest of some type each evening. I think a dog kennel would be just about perfect - it'll keep the babies safe and add extra security for the entire family. Good luckk - so sorry about the loss of your chick.

Edit/due to typo...

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss.....