She's trampling chicks! :-(

[juliecox]

On Friday my Australorp's adopted eggs began to hatch. She had some problems with stepping on the eggs; several of them had a hard time hatching after she compromised their shell integrity. This morning, I found one chick trampled, and two others kind of "kicked out" of the nest, still and cold. One was dead; the other is barely alive. I brought him in and am holding him in the hopes that if he warms up he might make it. Poor thing, he's still a little damp from the egg even. He's moving a little more now than he was before.

So what should I do? Should I take her chicks to a brooder? Does this little one who was cold all night have a chance?

 

[Pathfinders]

If she's not being a good mama, put the chicks in a brooder. First time mamas sometimes don't know what they're doing, and if you don't want to risk any more chick deaths, remove them.

 

[juliecox]

The one I brought in has died. :-( Suck ... Out of 15 eggs, 1 broke, 2 didn't develop, and 5 died. 4 of them were trampled, and one I just don't know - no telling, I suppose. So I've put the remaining 7 chicks in a brooder inside. So heartbreaking! I think next time I'm going to put them in an incubator instead of under the hen. She's just too rough. So sad ...

 

[Darlasmum]

Sorry to hear of your lost chicks. I agree with Pathfinders- not all are meant to be great mothers. Good luck with the rest of the brood.