Help - Newly hatched chicks dying

[Horseheads Chicken Novice]

Hi,

I'm new to hatching chicks. I wound up with a rooster and some broody hens so figured I'd give it a try.

Started with 3 broody hens sitting on 24 eggs though not sure of the egg ages as I caught on a little late to what was happening.

Probably 10 days in did some candling and all eggs seemed somewhat developed but at different stages.

At this point I started trying to find new eggs and take them out. Not easy because the hens move the eggs between the nesting boxes.

Finally had my first chick arrive - beautiful little miracle. Then 2 more followed in the next 2 days. Then one dead chick :-( Then one more baby. Since then I've had 5 more chicks hatch then die.

The dead chicks look to be fully formed and seem to have emerged fine from the eggs but they never dry off.

Any idea what is happening? Two of the hens are leaving the nesting boxes to mind the 4 babies, but one seems to be staying inside with the eggs.

Thanks!

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

You have more than one broody raising the chicks?

 

[Horseheads Chicken Novice]

Yes, 3 broody hens seem to be cooperating well. Sometimes 2 hens in one nesting box.

 

[MGG]

Hi,

I'm new to hatching chicks. I wound up with a rooster and some broody hens so figured I'd give it a try.

Started with 3 broody hens sitting on 24 eggs though not sure of the egg ages as I caught on a little late to what was happening.

Probably 10 days in did some candling and all eggs seemed somewhat developed but at different stages.

At this point I started trying to find new eggs and take them out. Not easy because the hens move the eggs between the nesting boxes.

Finally had my first chick arrive - beautiful little miracle. Then 2 more followed in the next 2 days. Then one dead chick :-( Then one more baby. Since then I've had 5 more chicks hatch then die.

The dead chicks look to be fully formed and seem to have emerged fine from the eggs but they never dry off.

Any idea what is happening? Two of the hens are leaving the nesting boxes to mind the 4 babies, but one seems to be staying inside with the eggs.

Thanks!

Welcome to BYC! I'm sorry your chicks are dying. Are the moms killing or rejecting them? It's usually a bad idea to let multiple hens sit and brood together. Separate each hen with a couple chicks and see if that helps. You might need to put them in an incubator as soon as they hatch and let them fluff up. Then give them back to mama.

 

[MGG]

Yes, 3 broody hens seem to be cooperating well. Sometimes 2 hens in one nesting box.

That's probably your problem. One of the hens is pushing the chicks out or pecking them to death.

 

[Horseheads Chicken Novice]

I don't usually seem them until they have died. It doesn't seem like Moms are doing anything to them that I can see. I've actually been amazed by the communal egg hatcing. I'd have to get another coop to separate them.

 

[MGG]

I don't usually seem them until they have died. It doesn't seem like Moms are doing anything to them that I can see. I've actually been amazed by the communal egg hatcing. I'd have to get another coop to separate them.

I don't know. One of them must be rejecting them and letting them get cold and die. What's the temp there?

 

[Horseheads Chicken Novice]

Temp is 85-90 during day and 65 at night so if they got rejected they would be cold.

 

[Horseheads Chicken Novice]

Update - I separated one broody hen and remaining eggs and have had a successful chick hatch
Thanks for the advice

 

[MGG]

Update - I separated one broody hen and remaining eggs and have had a successful chick hatch
Thanks for the advice

Awesome! I'm glad everything worked out for you. Thanks for the update!