My broody chicken may have killed 6 out of 8 of her chicks - on Monday evening, I found 6 of them dead in the broody box with her; wet and cold, obviously newly hatched, with marks on them. Took the last couple of eggs away - not fertile - and watched her with the two living chicks. She constantly scraped at them with her feet and pecked at them, as if trying to drive them back into the box. They were obviously very thirsty and were grabbing at the water as they scurried past.
Took them away and put them in a box under an infra red light, which promptly blew up. Put in spare lamp this morning ... when I got home tonight, the bulb had blown. Chicks cheeping loudly and cold. Thought of putting in a hot water bottle, but that would get cold over night. Have put on our incubator and put the chicks in for the night until I can buy a new bulb.
Do you think that is the best thing to do?
I could put them back with the broody, but I don't really trust her and I feel a bit sorry for her; she has called for them all day, and I don't want to start that up again.