raising rejected chicks

[lullismum]

Hi! two chicks hatched early this morning and the mother was sitting on one but had already pecked and rejected the smaller one. We thought it would die as she would not care for it so we took it away (was already bleeding and injured) but the other one stayed. She is still sitting on two eggs but ignored her chick and tried to peck at it when it came closer! We are now looking after the two chicks away from her. Any suggestions and advice would be helpful! how much should we feed them? and is it worth trying to reintroduce them? I think she will only kill them. Thank you!

 

[Minky]

Im so sorry to hear that. I have no helpful input but I think they should just get free choice of seed at all times, no restrictions. I hope the chick pulls through and grows stronger. Maybe in time momma will come around?

 

[lullismum]

Im so sorry to hear that. I have no helpful input but I think they should just get free choice of seed at all times, no restrictions. I hope the chick pulls through and grows stronger. Maybe in time momma will come around?

thank you for that. They have special chick food and water but i have been hand feeding them because they are only a few hours old and don't know how to do it, they are pretty weak. I don't think momma will ever come around I'm not sure if they are warm enough but they are together and sitting on a warm heat pack

 

[AlleysChicks]

Get them a warm place (heat lamp or mama heating pad) they should have free choice chick starter and water available at all times. Shallow dish for water so they don’t drown. Mama probably won’t come around if she rejected the chick. Some like to sit on eggs but not mother the chicks. Keep a close eye on the remaining eggs and chick.

 

[lullismum]

Get them a warm place (heat lamp or mama heating pad) they should have free choice chick starter and water available at all times. Shallow dish for water so they don’t drown. Mama probably won’t come around if she rejected the chick. Some like to sit on eggs but not mother the chicks. Keep a close eye on the remaining eggs and chick.

thank you! yes they are on a heat pad and cuddled together and there is chick starter and water in a shallow dish however they won't go to it, just sleep and cheep. I think the remaining eggs are empty and the two chicks are together now

 

[chickenmeadow]

Hope your hen does better with the other hatchlings, at least you caught it in time to save the two.

My go to brooder is a large, long clear tote, with wire mesh top, a heat lamp clamped on & sitting on the wire facing in at one end, a chick waterer with marbles, a chick feeder with chick starter crumbles, paper towels on floor over pine shavings, straw, etc. I love rearing chicks in these easy to clean brooders & just add on to them as needed.

I've heard of slipping a chick back under a broody hen who is setting on some happy chicks already & doing it at night inconspicuously so she doesn't see what's going on. I'll haven't tried this yet, but will next week when it's dark & check back with her in a while & very early in the morning. My fingers are crossed for you & me. Best wishes.

 

[AlleysChicks]

thank you! yes they are on a heat pad and cuddled together and there is chick starter and water in a shallow dish however they won't go to it, just sleep and cheep. I think the remaining eggs are empty and the two chicks are together now

Remember heat rises so they lose body heat if they are sitting on the pad. Can you make a cave like structure for them to go under using the heat pad? Their backs need to have contact with the pad.

I’d check those eggs tomorrow, have you candled them? If they are truly empty it’s best to toss them before they explode.

 

[red horse ranch]

Chicks don't usually eat for a day or two after hatching. You may want to dip their beaks in the water for a drink but other than that just let them sleep. They are babies and babies sleep a lot!
p.s. Make sure there are marbles or small rocks in the water dish or they may drown.

 

[lullismum]

Remember heat rises so they lose body heat if they are sitting on the pad. Can you make a cave like structure for them to go under using the heat pad? Their backs need to have contact with the pad.

I’d check those eggs tomorrow, have you candled them? If they are truly empty it’s best to toss them before they explode.

okay great! I just made a little cave then, its very warm but their backs aren't high enough to have contact. Should i try to lower the roof? thank you so much!

I will check the eggs tomorrow, but the hen is very strange and we're not sure if they were ever fertilised.

 

[lullismum]

Hope your hen does better with the other hatchlings, at least you caught it in time to save the two.

My go to brooder is a large, long clear tote, with wire mesh top, a heat lamp clamped on & sitting on the wire facing in at one end, a chick waterer with marbles, a chick feeder with chick starter crumbles, paper towels on floor over pine shavings, straw, etc. I love rearing chicks in these easy to clean brooders & just add on to them as needed.

I've heard of slipping a chick back under a broody hen who is setting on some happy chicks already & doing it at night inconspicuously so she doesn't see what's going on. I'll haven't tried this yet, but will next week when it's dark & check back with her in a while & very early in the morning. My fingers are crossed for you & me. Best wishes.

Yes we are very glad we were home to save them. She has always been unfriendly and traumatised from previous owners so she may not make a good mum. Thank you for your help! hope it goes well for you, fingers crossed!