Lost 2 chicks in 4 days

[peepmommy]

My broody hatched out 8 eggs. They are a week old now. I found the first dead chick 4 days ago, didn't seem to have any trauma (stepped on), plenty of food/water. Last night I found the second chick clinging onto life. She was freezing cold. I rushed her inside, trying to warm her and gave her some warm sugar water. She seemed to be taking it ok, but she was too far gone and died in my hands. I am not really sure what is happening. I want to make sure all of the rest make it. They all seem super active and happy, but so did the other two just before they died. I am checking on them more often so if anything does go wrong, maybe I can catch it before it's too late. Any thoughts would be great!

 

[chicmom]

If she's a first time broody, maybe she just needs practice......If you want to make sure they all survive, maybe take them and put the chicks in a brooder......Or at the very least, make sure they're all tucked in under mama each night just before dark so nobody gets chilled.

 

[peepmommy]

That's the thing... she is a young hen (1 year), but has been really great. They are always under her and if they aren't she's showing them how to forage. She talks to them constantly. I have to say when she is scratching, it does look a little rough, but I think that's just bound to happen... I don't know. I just hope the rest of them make it!

 

[peepmommy]

I guess no one has any thoughts?

 

[LaynaDon95]

You could put a heat lamp out with them at night. It sounds like they are having a hard time keeping warm. Maybe Mama is having a hard time wrangling so many youngsters. Humans do sometimes, after all. =P I hope the rest of your chickies do well. It sounds like Mama is doing a good job to me, just needs some practice is all. Keep us posted.