When to stop worrying?

[Beeks83]

Hello,

I currently have 2 chicks under 3 broody hens (they all coparent very nicely and all going well). They are 6 days old.

We started with 6 eggs, 4 hatched and 2 chicks died within 24 hours of hatching.

I made sure they had everything they needed, mums were keeping them warm, all seemed ok but they died. This has made me very very paranoid about the remaining 2 chicks.

Is there an age when I can stop worrying? Say if they make it to 4 weeks then generally they're ok?

Every day I check in on them excited to see them, and also fearing the worst. It's getting a bit stressful!

Thanks.

 

[chickens really]

I think your safe now to stop worrying so much...Its always a bit of a worry with new Babies...Enjoy the Chicks....

 

[Beeks83]

I think your safe now to stop worrying so much...Its always a bit of a worry with new Babies...Enjoy the Chicks....

Thanks. I do feel better now they're getting bigger and seem happy. I'll try to worry less

 

[The Moonshiner]

Those first two might of gotten squished. Three hens on four chicks sounds like two too many hens.
I had it happen with turkeys before.

 

[Beeks83]

Those first two might of gotten squished. Three hens on four chicks sounds like two too many hens.
I had it happen with turkeys before.

Oh that makes sense!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

After years of hatching, broody mama's still make me nervously restless! Unpredictable scenarios and unforseen weather introductions. I am a train wreck during those first few days after hatch. STILL..hehe.

I prefer incubation for higher successfulness these days. But still do both!
Because, I enjoy the magic still of the "natural experience" of mother/offspring bonding.
Being able to finally see the little chickie-poo's come out and follow mama around like little ducklings, is worth all nervousness and nail bitting..
I wish the best for you & your flock! Enjoy..
FC

 

[The Moonshiner]

We do both too. Broody hens always have a better hatch rate then I do and a momma with a string of chicks is an awesome sight for sure.
We free range our broody hens so I always have a better survivor rate then the hens but the hen raised chicks that do make it seem to have a better survivor rate as adults.
There's good and bad with either way I guess.
I have way too many birds and hatch way too many chicks to be worrying so much.
Worrrying doesn't change much except it ages you faster.

 

[Beeks83]

These are my first ever chicks after only having the hens for a month before they went broody! I feel like a new mum

 

[Folly's place]

I think it's much safer to have one broody at a time, rather than two (or three!) all together at once. It sounds like all is now going well, though. Good deal! And I always worry! Mary

 

[Beeks83]

I think it's much safer to have one broody at a time, rather than two (or three!) all together at once. It sounds like all is now going well, though. Good deal! And I always worry! Mary

We started with one broody, then as we were trying to break her the other two went broody! Tried to break all 3 and ended up having to give them eggs to sit on. I'd have been much happier with only one broody!