Very sad story.

[awesomefowl]

This morning I found a dead chick out in my coop.

My broody must have hatched it, not protected it, and the other chickens killed it. It was a purebred Partridge Silkie. I am so sad!!! Lessons learned: Always separate your broody!!!!

And my Nutmeg is a jerk. She should have mothered the chick.

Well, life happens.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Exactly why I don't use broodies...even separated from the others. Some are GREAT moms....others, not so much. I've had them step on the babies and kill them trying to adjust their weight and look at the others hatching, etc.

I think they probably do a better job of hatching, but not as good as job of raising them so your percentage of live chicks is about the same.

 

[awesomefowl]

I agree with you. it was hatched nicely (I had to help the incubator Silkies hatch properly and lost one) but bleeding because the others had pecked it to death, and it was 30 degrees last night. Stupid broody.