I think she was stepped on???

[bt03]

My bantam hen just hatched some chicks this morning!!! there were 12 eggs total but so far we still have 4 eggs in the nest. When I got home it was a disaster. Little-et had gotten out of her box and led the chicks out to!!! well the box was to high for them to get back in with her and they were jumping and peeping out front. Momma had accidentally stepped on them jumping back in to sit on the eggs that were still in the box. And she had lead a couple of them over to the older bantams that she hatched out 4 months ago. One was under the foot of big brother and gone already, another was upside down and peeping like crazy. I got everyone back in the box and LOCKED away but she wouldnt take the chick that was upside down. she refused to cover it to warm it up again and pushed it out of the nest. I brought her inside and gave her a little bit of sugar water (can't get vitamins till Friday afternoon) and put a lamp over her. she finally opened her eyes but is still falling back and laying upside down. the only way i can keep her straight is to hold her or to lean her against her bear buddy. Is she savable? she was cold and I am sure if the other one was under a bigger chicken then this one must have been stepped on also.


Update: She just passed

DD found her 5 min ago... now we are going to bury her in the back yard.

 

[duckyfromoz]

So sorry to hear of your troubles. I was reading with hope that things would be different. Many years ago- a similar thing occurred on the farm I grew up on. It was with a goose though- and what led to my life long love of waterfowl. Sadly my little goose didnt survive to adulthood- he had a dislocated leg that could not be fixed without causing great pain- or possible death so I just loved him and cared for him as long as I could. Sometimes that is really all we can do for them. Love them and comfort them- keep them warm until their little bodies give in. You did your best for the little one - at least she was more comfortable in her last moments of life than out in the yard.

Broodies can be unpredictable at times- and even had you been home it still may have happened. I hope that Little-et manages to hatch a few more and keeps them all safe now.

 

[bt03]

Thank you so much for the kind words ducky. I had hoped there was something we could do but I knew it was a long shot. DD thought she would be her mommy and the chick could be her best friend because they are both small. Hopefully momma will do better with the remaining babies but if she doesn't I know a little girl that will do amazing with them.