Hen rejecting her newly hatched chicks

[Jennifer A]

I have a Black astralap who is hatching her first clutch. So far one of the 5 eggs has hatched. She was off the nest to eat and it is trying to follow her and she was ignoring it. It's pretty weak. Once she got back on the nest, I put it back with her and she kept pecking it. So how do I help it?

I can't put it in my chick house with the light because I already have 4 week old mail order chicks in it . Advice please and thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Unfortunately some hens aren't good moms. You may have to remove the chicks as they hatch and brood them. I've had broodies attack their chicks, not all want the chicks, they just like sitting. it's always best to be ready to care for any eggs you set.

 

[Blooie]

If she’s not going to care for it...or the others that hatch....why not put them in with the week old chicks? You’d have to watch them carefully, but you’re having to do that now anyway, right? I often put incubator hatched chicks in with the other chicks I’d ordered.

 

[Jennifer A]

If she’s not going to care for it...or the others that hatch....why not put them in with the week old chicks? You’d have to watch them carefully, but you’re having to do that now anyway, right? I often put incubator hatched chicks in with the other chicks I’d ordered.

The other chicks are actually 4 weeks old. I'm afraid they'd pick on the smaller chicks

 

[Blooie]

Oh, I misread your original post...I read it as four, one week old mail order chicks.

 

[JDN]

Kludge together a politically incorrect brooder.

By that I mean one that has a light bulb mounted above a rubbermaid bin/big cardboard box. That way you aren't into it for tons of money and can save the chick.