I had a hen hatch out 7 baby chicks and am down to one survivor. Each day one more dies. Seems like they can't open their eyes but I don't notice any discharge around the eyes or beak. They become very weak and then they're gone. When the hen was sitting it was very hot (around 100 degrees). Could this have made the chicks weak? Any idea what might be causing this?

-- Marlene Leiby (mleiby@caprock-spur.com), September 24, 2000

Answers

Chicks I believe are born with there eyes open and within the first day or so the mother or you should carefully dip their beak in water if this doesn't happen they never learn to eat or drink.

-- vicky forba (emily@emcs.net), October 01, 2000.