My chicks are dying, please help!!!

[akanalynnn]

I decided to let my silkie and a blue orp try to hatch their own eggs...originally just the silkie was broody, but about halfway thru big blue decided to help her out... So they've been sharing duties... on 5 araucana eggs

Today I went out and an egg has rolled out of the coop door and dropped about 2 feet...At first I thought the egg wasn't ready. The chick was still very wet and fetal looking, but upon closer inspection, it had lots of feathers, toenails, etc.

I just went to close them up, and ANOTHER egg had appeared to have rolled out and the chick died. They are supposed to hatch anyday, and I noticed there was fluid on the top of the coop stairs, meaning the chick was out before it fell.

so now I'm so confused. are the hens killing them? Do the chicks stumble out of the door, and fall to their death? Should I take the LAST egg in for the night and put it under a heat lamp so it doesn't die??? Please help, quick!

The hens keep moving the eggs right to the coop opening (it opens to a closed run)


EDIT: I closed the coop door so the last one can't roll out

Another big ?.... If it doesn't hatch, or dies, can I get day old chicks and fool them into thinking that they're theirs?????

 

[JennsPeeps]

Sounds like the broodies need to be moved to an area where they can't kick out the chicks or eggs, or you need to put a box around them to prevent it.

 

[chicktwit]

I think you should be able to.