Too Hot???

[swimmer]

A little over three weeks ago I bought 8 fertilized eggs to put under my 2 broody hens. Candled them, all looked good. Then the heat wave set in. Had about two weeks of temps over 100. I'm sure in the coop it was even hotter. Thought I'd just see what happens. The chicks hatched a couple days ago, but none of them survived more than a day. We're the eggs too hot, too hot after they hatched, both? All chicks were found outside of the nest, one was still under one of the chickens. One was eaten by one of the non-broody chickens. Not sure if it was dead or alive before she started to eat it. My first time doing this, but guessing our 100+ degree days is too hot for hatching right now. Any input would be appreciated. Would love to try this again when the weather cools.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We're your broody hens separated from the flock? Sounds like chicks wandered away from the broody hen who will not go after them in the first few days after the hatch. Other chickens will kill chicks. It's best to separate them out or put a fence around them for a week or two to protect the chicks and to give them time to get stronger.

Also some broody hens will attack their own chicks, especially if they haven't hatched before.

Heat can certainly kill chickens, but if no adults died that I wouldn't suspect it was the cause.

 

[PD-Riverman]

OK, they hatched----so probably not to hot, but you did not say if they hatched early---which could happen if it was a little hot. We do not know why they died, but sounds as though they were possibly killed by other hens?? I have seen other hens peck them in the head and kill them.
Sure some have no problem with Chicks with the rest of the flock. I have no problem with chicks getting killed because---just like fire insurance on your home. I have insurance on my MANY hatched chicks----insurance they want get pecked and Killed----that insurance is keeping them away from the other chickens. I had probably 700 chicks hatched in 2015 alone by 72 broody hens and Not any of them were killed by other hens pecking them. To keep the Insurance up, I, personally will Never allow a broody to hatch chicks with the flock. Everyone else can if they wish! Sorry for your lose.

 

[swimmer]

I did not have them separated. Will try a second attempt and separate than from the flock.
They did not hatch early, right on time.
Thank you for your responses and input.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What I do is I try to be around as they hatch and after most are hatched they are moved into a wire enclosure for a week or two before starting to let them back into the flock. I have learned the hard way too.