I have two Australian Spotted hens who really would like to be moms. Earlier one sat on some eggs and hatched two. Within days they were both dead.
Wednesday the other hatched one baby out of four eggs. Today the baby is dead.
Now, they have been brooding in huge barn in spots chosen by them. A day after the ducklings hatch I have moved mom and babies to a safe spot. I am afraid th cats will get the babies if I just leave them in the barn.
The first one I moved to a coop where they were the only residents. The second I moved to my brooder which is basically an 8x8 box two feet tall with a secure top that is partially solid and partially wire. In both places they of course had water and duck starter.
The hen that hatched the first ducking is now on day four of setting on about 10 eggs. Should I leave her be when they hatch and hope the cats don't get them? Do I move her and the nest now into a dog crate or something? Or move again after they hatch?
Wednesday the other hatched one baby out of four eggs. Today the baby is dead.
Now, they have been brooding in huge barn in spots chosen by them. A day after the ducklings hatch I have moved mom and babies to a safe spot. I am afraid th cats will get the babies if I just leave them in the barn.
The first one I moved to a coop where they were the only residents. The second I moved to my brooder which is basically an 8x8 box two feet tall with a secure top that is partially solid and partially wire. In both places they of course had water and duck starter.
The hen that hatched the first ducking is now on day four of setting on about 10 eggs. Should I leave her be when they hatch and hope the cats don't get them? Do I move her and the nest now into a dog crate or something? Or move again after they hatch?
That is sad. I wish I had an answer for you DCChick. Sometimes first time broodies accidentally kill their offspring from lack of experience...while others may just lack the mothering instinct. Sucks all the same though...hope your second try was more successful...and I would move them right after hatch to a secure location away from any and all interference if you can. 
