Help!! Hen attacked her own baby chicks!!

[squirlbait]

I am so upset. My broody hens attacked their babies as they were hatching!

I had two broody hens that were co-setting on five eggs. They must have started hatching overnight and when I checked this morning they had killed one that was dry and fluffy that looked perfectly normal. They were pecking at another and one has a tear in her skin. The tear is pretty long and I don't think I can fix it.

I have taken them away and have set up a brooder. I also took away the other two eggs. One has a little bloody spot where her umbilical cord is. Should I clean it?

Oh my god...I'm so sad.

 

[ten chicks]

I am so upset. My broody hens attacked their babies as they were hatching!

I had two broody hens that were co-setting on five eggs. They must have started hatching overnight and when I checked this morning they had killed one that was dry and fluffy that looked perfectly normal. They were pecking at another and one has a tear in her skin. The tear is pretty long and I don't think I can fix it.

I have taken them away and have set up a brooder. I also took away the other two eggs. One has a little bloody spot where her umbilical cord is. Should I clean it?

Oh my god...I'm so sad.

This actually happens fairly often,not all hens make good mothers. Yes,keep chicks in a brooder,wash wound and put antibiotic ointment(nothing ending in "caine"toxic to chickens) on chick with tear,give injured chicks some electrolytes. Chick with blood near umbilical cord,you could put some ointment there also(if there is a wound)just be careful to not pull on cord. Are hens young and is this their first hatch? It is possible that they were just scared and reacted. I would be cautious in future of letting gals hatch eggs.

 

[squirlbait]

Thank you, tenchicks. Obviously, I was very naive about how this would go down!

I have chick feed and water with them, but the two that have hatched seem very sleepy. I've never had baby chicks so I'm not sure what to expect. How long does it take for them to fluff up?mshould they be more active? It's not been a welcoming world in their first hour of life, geez...

 

[ten chicks]

Thank you, tenchicks. Obviously, I was very naive about how this would go down!

I have chick feed and water with them, but the two that have hatched seem very sleepy. I've never had baby chicks so I'm not sure what to expect. How long does it take for them to fluff up?mshould they be more active? It's not been a welcoming world in their first hour of life, geez...

Make sure they are warm,takes about a full day to dry and fluff. Usually do not eat for approx. 24-48 hours,they have absorbed the yolk sack. They will be sleepy,it is hard work hatching. Keep them on paper towels or other material that is easy to walk on. Do not use newspaper(to slippery,can cause spraddle leg) leave shavings out of brooder for about a week,you want chicks to be able to indentify their food.