Hi forum,

 

Need some advice. I have a first time pair that attacks and kills the chick after hatching. They have killed two chicks.

The chick is unfed and bitten all over. I have 6 remaining fertile eggs, 2 of which I've moved this morning to a surrogate.

I have no idea if its the hen, the cock or both. Should I move the remaining eggs and not breed from the pair again?

 

thanks Michelle

I'd foster the eggs out to other parents...

When fostering eggs that are close to hatching you must foster to another nest where eggs are also due to hatch. A hen that is sitting.

Preferably a nest where you will more than likely recognise the chicks when they feather up ( for instance blue chicks into a green nest etc )

Edited December 30, 201014 yr by **KAZ**

Thanks for the info Kaz. Will try and see how I go.

You can always remove the cock close to the chicks hatching and see if it is the cock or the hen killing the chicks. Odds on that it's the cock but there is a chance that the hen is the culprit too. Often the hen passes that on in her children too so might be best not to use her if you do find out that it is she that is the problem! Fostering IS the best option for the chicks to survive though and if you do want to use her, then you can foster as soon as she lays or leave it until they are ready to hatch (but as Kaz says, choose a nest with eggs of a similar development stage).

Hi forum,

 

Need some advice. I have a first time pair that attacks and kills the chick after hatching. They have killed two chicks.

The chick is unfed and bitten all over. I have 6 remaining fertile eggs, 2 of which I've moved this morning to a surrogate.

I have no idea if its the hen, the cock or both. Should I move the remaining eggs and not breed from the pair again?

 

thanks Michelle

my i ask are you sure its the birds not a mouse problem then id try what nubbly said to see if its cock or hen so you can know for sure next time she may be a great hen and good mum but cock is wanting to mate her again so killing chicks good luck id only risk the one chick no more move other eggs to other nests where you know their reliable