Hen killing her chick

[macnugget]

I had my br bantam sit on 4 eggs for the whole 21 days and then today a chick hatched and she pecked to almost death. I was able to get the bloody chick out and put it in a brooder. The chick was barely alive. but tonight after some tlc it has gotten up and has had water and food. I took the other 3 eggs that hadn't hatch yet away from the hen and put them in the bator. Has anyone had this happen before? and what might have caused it


Nick

 

[Mahonri]

Almost sounds like a first time broody. You can never predict what they'll do, sometimes they go berserk without cause. Sounds like you did just right.

 

[macnugget]

It was her first time hated to take them away but didn't want them dead either

 

[Mahonri]

Cut pics... I spent some time in Richmond and Winchester to the northwest of your location... beautiful area and wonderful people.

 

[macnugget]

I was a transplant from NY it ok But I miss the openest of where I'm from western NY

 

[Jeff9118]

Although I'm told this is very rare I once had a hen do this also. Not sure why but she was an older hen, My advice is never to set her again unless you plan to take the eggs away a few days before they hatch.

 

[macnugget]

yeah I'm done with that her sister and her both sat on the eggs one would getup to get water the other took over. to bad I thought she would be a good mother .. WRONG

 

[john in wa]

as a child my great grand mother raised chicks and chickens. when we had a hen peck the babies to death she would make chicken and dumplings out of her. same goes for a hen that learns to crack eggs and eat them. I would not let her set again.

 

[Cetawin]

A first time for her and she may have been totally confused. You could try her again and see if it is just her or it was just a first time thing.

I mean their hormones tell them to sit on the eggs but nothing tells them why?

Shame but she may be a bad mother or could she turn out to be a great one.