Natural Brooding

[JimmyG632]

So I have been having some issues with my hens laying eggs. I decided to let them do it naturally because o don't have the money right now to buy and incubator. The only problem is I haven't been able to get a full clutch out of the. My last one hatches two of then the got rid of the rest. They were good for about two days. When I went to check on them, they were flat and dead like she had smothered them. Please if you have any advice let me know.

 

[CiscoChickens]

What breed is the hen that killed the chicks? Some are naturally bad mother's, and will harm the babies to protect their eggs (especially if they've never seen a chick before). It's rare, but it's happened.

 

[JimmyG632]

What breed is the hen that killed the chicks? Some are naturally bad mother's, and will harm the babies to protect their eggs (especially if they've never seen a chick before). It's rare, but it's happened.

That's the issue I don't know exactly what kind of hen she is. But I attached a photo of her so maybe you will know. She is a smaller breed. I have a feeling she might be some sort of bantam.

 

[happychickies101]

The day they are laid, take the eggs from under her. Keep them pointy side down in an egg carton. Since I buy my fertilized eggs ( I don’t have a roo) I just stick them all in the incubator at once so do more research on storage before putting them under the hen. Put them all under the hen at once when you have a full clutch, that way they will all hatch at once. Because the embryo does not start to develop until it’s under proper heat. The fresher the better chances of them living so up to 7 days in storage though I know someone who did 14 days.

 

[happychickies101]

She looks like she could be a Silver Laced Wyandotte. I have one! She’s a great mother!

 

[CiscoChickens]

She looks like she could be a Silver Laced Wyandotte. I have one! She’s a great mother!

Thanks for your insight! I suppose we can rule out the bad mother part for now.
JimmyG632, I'd assume this is the first time your hen has seen/hatched chicks? She doesn't know what she's doing, so she's just "winging it." Lol I've had fully hatched chicks die under Mama die simply because she was a new mother.

Unless you see her in action and intentionally hurting her chicks, I'm not sure what is happening. Could it be stress? Is she in a egg box where she feels like she needs to protect her spot from other hens? Shuffling/moving to peck and scare off other hens could have caused her to squish the babies.