Hen Killing Chicks, more to Hatch, what to do?

[joeyschicks]

I have a hen killing her chicks as they hatch. There are still more that are yet to hatch, as other hens layed on her while she was brooding her own, and I have two just breaking now. should I remove them? I have a heat lamp, should I put them in a container under the heat lamp and should I cover the heat lamp? How do I make sure there is enough humidity? Help, I hate seeing her peck her babies to death.

 

[taraann81]

Get incubator. Have chicken soup.

 

[Chickenmaven]

Quote:
Ditto.

 

[Biddieacres]

She is not a a good Mama hen. Some are, some are not. She see's them as a threat and will kill them all. The best bet is to stay right there and take each one as they hatch. Have a heat lamp set up and a brooder away from her. Good luck. Sorry to hear you are going through this.

 

[Biddieacres]

Quote:
Put them in a cardboard box with pine shavings, food and water. Make sure the heat lamp is securely fastened over it. You don't have to worry about humidity once they hatch. Do not cover the heat lamp. Just make sure it is not too close to them and not too far away from them. If they are moving around comfortable under the lamp then they are warm. If they are huddled together they may be too cold.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

I agree with biddieacres. Stay close and get them as soon as they hatch and put them in a brooder. They should be fine.

Sorry about that. That has to be a horrible site to see a moma hen pecking her own babies!

Chicken and Dumplings with her

 

[LuckysMom]

You can make a temporary brooder out of a large plastic bin or cardboard box. Just put paper towels on the bottom and suspend the heat lamp securely at one end of the brooder so it doesn't fall into the brooder. You can raise or lower the lamp to adjust the temp. Put some water and food off to the side so they can eat and drink and then get back under the lamp. Do you have some starter crumbles to feed them? You can grind up oatmeal in an emergency if you can't get to the feed store right away.

 

[melissastraka]

I have no advise, just a

 

[ginbart]

Are you sure about the pine shavings? I thought they should be wood shaving because you don't want the chicks to eat the pine shavings. I would use paper towels something they wouldn't slide on. You could use the shavings after they are a week old so they know the difference between the food and shavings. Good luck.

 

[Biddieacres]

Yes, paper towels over the shavings the first week is a good idea. Easy to clean too.