raising baby chicks

[70sChickie]

I went outside to check on my hen this mooring and she was dead! I was shocked. She had 2 chicks under her, They were pretty cold but still moving. What happened to my hen? Now I have the chicks inside. There were also a lot of tiny black bugs where she was brooding. Mites I believe. I hand;t seen them before. I feel terrible.

 

[RodNTN]

Hello there! Oh no! I am so sorry

All though I have never experienced this, someone one said that mites can and will kill a broody hen, I hope this wasn't the case

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so excited you've joined our flock So sorry for your loss. You'll need to setup a brooder and set temp to about 95 degrees for the first week. We have lots of threads on brooding chicks. If mom had mites, then you'll likely want to treat the babies. We have many posts on how to treat.

 

[RodNTN]

Was she showing any signs of illness before this morning? Maybe lethargic or something?

 

[70sChickie]

Hello there! Oh no! I am so sorry

All though I have never experienced this, someone one said that mites can and will kill a broody hen, I hope this wasn't the case

OMG if thats the case I feel so bad. I had no idea she had them until I looked in under where she had been sitting. How could mites kill her?

 

[70sChickie]

Was she showing any signs of illness before this morning? Maybe lethargic or something?

nO she wasn't. Someone said that they have been known to starve because they won't leave the nest. I had seen her out a few times so I though it was. ok. I put her own food and water in last night and separated her from the flock

 

[70sChickie]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so excited you've joined our flock So sorry for your loss. You'll need to setup a brooder and set temp to about 95 degrees for the first week. We have lots of threads on brooding chicks. If mom had mites, then you'll likely want to treat the babies. We have many posts on how to treat.

Thanks! I bought a chemical one for the coop but Im not sure how to tray the babies.

 

[RodNTN]

Oh, don't feel that bad They can deplete them of blood

 

[RodNTN]

nO she wasn't. Someone said that they have been known to starve because they won't leave the nest. I had seen her out a few times so I though it was. ok. I put her own food and water in last night and separated her from the flock

I'm sure she didn't starve, I have had chickens die of illnesses that I could've helped with and I didn't know about it until it was too late I know how you feel, its just a way of life

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - sorry for the circumstances. Mites can bui8ld up quite rapidly on a broody hen who is not dustbathing. As RodNTN stated, they can deplete the setting hen of blood. Most will quit brooding prior to that, but your hen was very dedicated. Good luck in raising the chicks.