My Chick died less than a day after hatching!

[featherbaby]

This baby silkie chick was the third to hatch under my broody hen. All three looked dry, healthy and lively this morning at 10:00. Now it's 3:00 and one of them is dead. No injury marks on him, no sign of trauma. Why after fighting it's way through 21 days of incubation and having the strength to hatch out did it suddenly die????? Is there some bacteria or infection that can kill them that quickly? I changed all bedding and cleaned everything before hatch day. I couldn't bathe the broody, of course, but she's not sick at all and has incubated them faithfully. Now I'm worried about the other two that look healthy. Should I pull them out and separate into a brooder? Can anyone give me some possible causes? I don't know what to do.

 

[Mahonri]

Mama may have accidentally stepped on the little one. It happens.

 

[featherbaby]

Are they really that clumsy that they don't know they're stepping or laying on a cheeping chick? OMG!

Should I take the others out?

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Yes, they are. That is why I no longer allow mama to raise chicks. Many silkie breeders allow the broodies to hatch the babies and take them away as soon as they are dried for this very reason.

Sorry, Sandi.....

 

[featherbaby]

Thanks Judy. After the sadness, I just needed to know what happened so I can prevent it next time. I took the other two chicks out of the nest and settled them in a nice warm tote with a light and thermometer. I left her sitting on 3 pipped eggs and hope to have the others hatched out by tomorrow morning. As soon as they're dry, I'll move them too. How long do you wait before taking them from the broody? At least I got 6 viable eggs out of the 12 shipped ones. I had lost faith that shipped ones would be worth the time and money. This makes me feel better.

These are all buffs. One has black feet, the other has pink ones. What does that mean?

The babies you sold to me from your friend are growing well and looking good. The little white baby (Crystaline) has not grown much. I expect she'll be a dwarf like my "Christmas". The grey is my favorite. Comet is her/his name and has loads of personality! As soon as I open the coop each morning it jumps up on my shoulder and stays there until I finish. What a sweetie! Since Comet is grey/split lavender I wonder what color to breed him/her with and what colors should I expect.