Hello, I'm a complete newb to this forum and chickens in general. We have adult bantams, three hens and a rooster.
The hens have been brooding the last few weeks, and three little chicks hatched a few days ago. All was well, we left the hens to do their thing. Then I went out one morning and all three chicks were dead, it appeared they had been pecked and scratched to death.
One more chick hatched, and it met the same fate. I have five eggs that I took from the hens that are due to hatch within in a couple of days. I have them in a straw layered box under a heat lamp, we only just brought them in a bit ago.
First of all, what do I do to insure the chicks survive and hatch?
And is it normal for hens to kill their young? I'm sorry to come on here and shout ignorance like this. I am doing a lot of fast reading right now.
Thanks in advance,
Libby
The hens have been brooding the last few weeks, and three little chicks hatched a few days ago. All was well, we left the hens to do their thing. Then I went out one morning and all three chicks were dead, it appeared they had been pecked and scratched to death.
One more chick hatched, and it met the same fate. I have five eggs that I took from the hens that are due to hatch within in a couple of days. I have them in a straw layered box under a heat lamp, we only just brought them in a bit ago.
First of all, what do I do to insure the chicks survive and hatch?
And is it normal for hens to kill their young? I'm sorry to come on here and shout ignorance like this. I am doing a lot of fast reading right now.
Thanks in advance,
Libby