Murderous Broodys

[potpoacher 27]

this year I have had all my bantams go broody which is great, but they have just killed their chicks! I am told I am not alone as loads of people have lost chicks this year but you will have to tell me how you have got on this year and how you hatch out your eggs as I don't want another disaster. I have been doing this foe years now and this year has seen good fertility (100 %)and hatch rates (93%) but awful survival rates because the hens have killed them all. I dunno!!!

[bell 3,609]

this year I have had all my bantams go broody which is great, but they have just killed their chicks! I am told I am not alone as loads of people have lost chicks this year but you will have to tell me how you have got on this year and how you hatch out your eggs as I don't want another disaster. I have been doing this foe years now and this year has seen good fertility (100 %)and hatch rates (93%) but awful survival rates because the hens have killed them all. I dunno!!!

how long after hatch have they been killed mate ? first year for me and have a partridge wyandotte hatched 3 chicks about 2 week ago and all seems ok.

[potpoacher 27]

it varies quite a bit. sometimes its straight away, other times a week later. I have had hens kill the odd chick before and when I look at the dead chick more closely I often find deformities that the hen has obviously detected. the weird thing is though, this is the first year I have not even helped 1 chick out and have left the hens right alone. other years I have helped out loads and messed the hens around a lot and they are not bothered. weird?

[bell 3,609]

it varies quite a bit. sometimes its straight away, other times a week later. I have had hens kill the odd chick before and when I look at the dead chick more closely I often find deformities that the hen has obviously detected. the weird thing is though, this is the first year I have not even helped 1 chick out and have left the hens right alone. other years I have helped out loads and messed the hens around a lot and they are not bothered. weird?

Mmmm odd, who knows maybe post natal depression mate eh ?

[potpoacher 27]

 

it varies quite a bit. sometimes its straight away, other times a week later. I have had hens kill the odd chick before and when I look at the dead chick more closely I often find deformities that the hen has obviously detected. the weird thing is though, this is the first year I have not even helped 1 chick out and have left the hens right alone. other years I have helped out loads and messed the hens around a lot and they are not bothered. weird?

Mmmm odd, who knows maybe post natal depression mate eh ?

 

a pretty serious case of it!!!

[talt 878]

have you checked the hens for mites? Sometimes the hens become lousy, because the nice warm environment under her is ideal for parasites as well and drives the hens crackers which could cause them to kill chicks. Not saying its definitely the reason but might be worth checking.

[potpoacher 27]

nope, no mites.

[off the tether 277]

have,you,got,pertches,in,your,pens,if,so,take,them,out,

[potpoacher 27]

perches? why would I have them in a broody coop?