Help Dead Chicks

[Mosey2003]

If you're going to treat for coccidiosis, do not supplement vitamins unless they do not contain B vitamins. It defeats the purpose.

 

[Helloworld]

I would take the rest of the “aliens” from the hen. You placed new chicks with her chicks. She will take them right in and day by day kill those not originally hers. If we buy day olds we have a designated sarogate because hen with own chicks will protect nest from
invaders which is probably what she feels they are.

 

[shishimarie]

Three of the dead chicks were in the nest area. So I figured it was over heating or freezing. They did look kinda squished but I thought it was because they had died. The chick I found today was in an area that they hang out in (run spaced). None of these chicks have looked odd the day before...eating, drink, hang out with the group. They are all on medicated starter feed. I have checked for paste butt but all their vent are clear. These four have been on the smaller side so I though that they were just runts. This is not this mama hen first hatch. She had chicks back in May but there was only 4 that time. I hate that they keep dying.

 

[EggWalrus]

If you're going to treat for coccidiosis, do not supplement vitamins unless they do not contain B vitamins. It defeats the purpose.

I learn something everyday on here.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Three of the dead chicks were in the nest area. So I figured it was over heating or freezing. They did look kinda squished but I thought it was because they had died. The chick I found today was in an area that they hang out in (run spaced). None of these chicks have looked odd the day before...eating, drink, hang out with the group. They are all on medicated starter feed. I have checked for paste butt but all their vent are clear. These four have been on the smaller side so I though that they were just runts. This is not this mama hen first hatch. She had chicks back in May but there was only 4 that time. I hate that they keep dying.

It could be the shipped chicks are just weaker than the rest. The shipped chicks probably would be better off in a brooder. They are probably getting smothered under her because they are relatively weak and aren’t as strong as her own.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I would take the rest of the “aliens” from the hen. You placed new chicks with her chicks. She will take them right in and day by day kill those not originally hers. If we buy day olds we have a designated sarogate because hen with own chicks will protect nest from
invaders which is probably what she feels they are.

The hen accepted the chicks. She wouldn’t have taken them from the beginning if that was the case.

 

[EggWalrus]

Three of the dead chicks were in the nest area. So I figured it was over heating or freezing. They did look kinda squished but I thought it was because they had died. The chick I found today was in an area that they hang out in (run spaced). None of these chicks have looked odd the day before...eating, drink, hang out with the group. They are all on medicated starter feed. I have checked for paste butt but all their vent are clear. These four have been on the smaller side so I though that they were just runts. This is not this mama hen first hatch. She had chicks back in May but there was only 4 that time. I hate that they keep dying.

I hate it for you also. Sometimes there are chicks that are just sickly and don't make it. Just like not all eggs hatch every time, not all that hatch make it. As much as it sucks, it's just the way of life and death for chickens.
I have a itsy bitsy game hen that just brought out 12 little babies yesterday, good thing the temps have been near 100° the last month because her skinny little butt can't cover that many eggs, but she got them all hatched off. Anyway, yesterday they were all bopping around fast, scratching, pecking, and pooping. But today a few of them are just standing there with eyes closed. I put all of them in the Chick Inn (brooder) with medicated HMC Super Biddy food and water with ACV. They had been eating by foraging with their Momma and could have got Coccidiosis from the ground. Hopefully the Super Biddy will fix them up. But if it doesn't, that will suck, it's all part of chicken keeping.

 

[EggWalrus]

I would take the rest of the “aliens” from the hen. You placed new chicks with her chicks. She will take them right in and day by day kill those not originally hers. If we buy day olds we have a designated sarogate because hen with own chicks will protect nest from
invaders which is probably what she feels they are.

Hens either accept them or they don't. You'll know by the first day. I've slipped hundreds of chicks under broodys and mommas, and they either accept them and will fight to the death for them or they will try to run them away by pecking them. Sometimes new mommas accidentally step on babies and squish them. As long as she has had these new babies, I don't think she would hurt any of them on purpose. Hopefully no more will die, but if it happens, can you get us pics of where the baby was found before moving it, and close ups of it before you dispose of it?

 

[shishimarie]

I would take the rest of the “aliens” from the hen. You placed new chicks with her chicks. She will take them right in and day by day kill those not originally hers. If we buy day olds we have a designated sarogate because hen with own chicks will protect nest from
invaders which is probably what she feels they are.

Hens either accept them or they don't. You'll know by the first day. I've slipped hundreds of chicks under broodys and mommas, and they either accept them and will fight to the death for them or they will try to run them away by pecking them. Sometimes new mommas accidentally step on babies and squish them. As long as she has had these new babies, I don't think she would hurry any of them on purpose. Hopefully no more will die, but if it happens, can you get us pics of where the baby was found before moving it, and close ups of it before you dispose of it?

I'll post photos if it happens again. Hopefully they were the runts and weaker than the others.

 

[TheTropix]

But if it doesn't, that will suck, it's all part of chicken keeping.

EggWalrus is right... That's really the long & short of it, and it does suck, but losses are going to happen. Birds that have migrated to an area for the winter/summer also spread diseases that aren't common locally and can cause problems. Seems like there's just no end to what all can take 'em out.