Pecked Chicks, would love some help

[Will230145]

So, I have a broody Oegb and this is her first year, and first time being broody. She has 6 eggs, two of which have already hatched. She pecked them in the head and they bled. We are new to this so we put them back under her and she was content with sitting on the chicks until one came out she pecked it, so we took both chicks in a separate brooder. Now, we have one egg that just externally pipped and was wondering what we should do with the chicks. Do we put them back once all eggs are hatched and watch her closely and give her a second go or not? She's the sweetest hen but I guess not when it comes to mothering. (she's in a separate brooder away from the flock) Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Pull them all and brood them yourself. I wouldn't use this hen again to hatch. Not every hen knows what to do or is a good mom. Hens will kill chicks.

 

[Will230145]

Pull them all and brood them yourself. I wouldn't use this hen again to hatch. Not every hen knows what to do or is a good mom. Hens will kill chicks.

Since artificial hatching is known to make hens not have a broody personality, now that we've moved them away from the hen, could they still have the broody trait?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It isn't artificial incubation, it's breeding birds that don't go broody in order to get more egg production that decreases broody behaviors.

OEGB still are bred to be broody. Being broody has nothing to do with being a good mom. I've had plenty of good broody hens that are terrible mothers.

 

[Will230145]

It isn't artificial incubation, it's breeding birds that don't go broody in order to get more egg production that decreases broody behaviors.

OEGB still are bred to be broody. Being broody has nothing to do with being a good mom. I've had plenty of good broody hens that are terrible mothers.

Ok, that clears a lot of things up, Thank you! So you think they still have a good chance of being broody then?

 

[PamSmith2525]

I would try again but one by one, keep a very very close eye. Any sign of aggression take them out and separate. She may not have known what they were. But choose the healthiest chick and put it under her and see what it does once it come out from under her. Wait until al eggs are hatched or thrown out! Best of luck!!!

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I would just let her hatch them out for you and then hand raise them yourself in a brooder set up.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Ok, that clears a lot of things up, Thank you! So you think they still have a good chance of being broody then?

Yes.