Broody hen abandons partially hatched chick, wtd?

[SammyLee]

My hen has hatched 3 chicks but abandoned a 4th since the others are now 2 days old and need to leave the nest to eat and drink. The abandoned chick is only partially hatched and still needs to absorb some yoke. Is it best to let it die since I found it quite weak? It chirps at me, but doesn't really move much. I have no incubator ready since I was just letting the hen do her thing. Right now I have it wrapped (with it's head exposed) in a very warm wet wash cloth to help re-wet the membrane.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I've heard of people even having success under heat lamps at that point. If you have an incubator it can't hurt to plug it in while the chick is somewhere else warm and move it to the incubator once it's satisfactory. I wouldn't give up on it but I'm not very good at staying hands off and letting nature take its course. You need to do what you're comfortable with though! Good luck!

 

[SammyLee]

I've heard of people even having success under heat lamps at that point. If you have an incubator it can't hurt to plug it in while the chick is somewhere else warm and move it to the incubator once it's satisfactory. I wouldn't give up on it but I'm not very good at staying hands off and letting nature take its course. You need to do what you're comfortable with though! Good luck!

Thank you for the quick reply, but sadly the chick has died. I guess I was too late to find it. On a positive note, the 3 other chicks are very healthy and robust!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Thank you for the quick reply, but sadly the chick has died. I guess I was too late to find it. On a positive note, the 3 other chicks are very healthy and robust!

I'm sorry for your loss but I'm glad all of the other chicks are doing well!

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Happy for the healthy 3 chicks!

 

[chickens really]

Sorry I missed this although Hens know better than people and she knew the chick wouldn't survive and Animals live for the living not waiting for the weak...