Help! Mama eating babies. No incubator.

[Hickspanic Chick]

We gave this first time mom hen a 2nd chance. She went broody a few months ago but abandoned her last nest and was very mean to the chicks that did hatch. Luckily another broody hen took over and raised the babes. This time around she was the only one that stayed by her nest so we gave her the chance to raise them. However, as soon as one chicken hatched it disappeared without a trace. We feared a snake or perhaps another predator so we took extra precautions and surveillance duty. We came to find out she was eating the babies. We separated her from the eggs but we do not own an incubator. I do own a heating pad and I made a nest with hay in a plastic tub. I insulated the heating pad with a towel on low heat. We "candled" the eggs with a flashlight and kept the ones with healthy veins throughout. I am extremely new to this. We generally let the moms do the work. None of my other hens are broody and I fear they will not want to raise these chicks. Any constructive and friendly adevice is welcomed.

 

[Hickspanic Chick]

We gave this first time mom hen a 2nd chance. She went broody a few months ago but abandoned her last nest and was very mean to the chicks that did hatch. Luckily another broody hen took over and raised the babes. This time around she was the only one that stayed by her nest so we gave her the chance to raise them. However, as soon as one chicken hatched it disappeared without a trace. We feared a snake or perhaps another predator so we took extra precautions and surveillance duty. We came to find out she was eating the babies. We separated her from the eggs but we do not own an incubator. I do own a heating pad and I made a nest with hay in a plastic tub. I insulated the heating pad with a towel on low heat. We "candled" the eggs with a flashlight and kept the ones with healthy veins throughout. I am extremely new to this. We generally let the moms do the work. None of my other hens are broody and I fear they will not want to raise these chicks. Any constructive and friendly adevice is welcomed.

I will add that I do not own a great thermometer. I am hoping I can at least save a few of these. I worry without the right temp they won't make it

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Unfortunately not every broody hen is a good mother. You could have allowed her to hatch them and than pull them as they hatched and brood them yourself. If you manage to get any of the eggs to hatch with a heat pad, what temperature does it keep the eggs? You will need to brood them yourself. You should always be ready to brood any from a broody hen in case anything goes wrong.

 

[Hickspanic Chick]

Unfortunately not every broody hen is a good mother. You could have allowed her to hatch them and than pull them as they hatched and brood them yourself. If you manage to get any of the eggs to hatch with a heat pad, what temperature does it keep the eggs? You will need to brood them yourself. You should always be ready to brood any from a broody hen in case anything goes wrong.

I am not sure about temp. This is a bit sudden and new for us. I wasn't even sure if a heating pad will hatch them. We live in a rural area in FL and were unable to monitor properly due to.work schedules.

 

[mountain chicken]

get a therm o at the dollar store

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I am not sure about temp. This is a bit sudden and new for us. I wasn't even sure if a heating pad will hatch them. We live in a rural area in FL and were unable to monitor properly due to.work schedules.

My guess is it won't, but sure would be cool if it did.

 

[Hickspanic Chick]

get a therm o at the dollar store

OK what kind and what temp?