Bicoastal
Songster
First-time hens, eggs have been candled, staggered hatch I guess. Ten live chicks so far. But one dead yesterday morning, and a second dead this morning. Both were fully formed, fluffy, warm, and under hen in the nest.
First chick’s body was stuck to the bedding. So I’m guessing yolk wasn’t fully absorbed. Second chick fully formed, dry, and warm.
It seems they hatch overnight, are in the nest under sleeping hen, but die during the night.
After the first ten hatched, am I supposed to change bedding? Or Is there any other management I can change to reduce chicks dieing immediately after hatch?
Any reason why this is happening? Simply weak chicks that would die whether a broody or an incubator?
I tried a forum search without luck. Surely this isn’t unusual?
Attaching a photo of babies to lift our hearts after this sad subject.
First chick’s body was stuck to the bedding. So I’m guessing yolk wasn’t fully absorbed. Second chick fully formed, dry, and warm.
It seems they hatch overnight, are in the nest under sleeping hen, but die during the night.
After the first ten hatched, am I supposed to change bedding? Or Is there any other management I can change to reduce chicks dieing immediately after hatch?
Any reason why this is happening? Simply weak chicks that would die whether a broody or an incubator?
I tried a forum search without luck. Surely this isn’t unusual?
Attaching a photo of babies to lift our hearts after this sad subject.
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