Ashcole
In the Brooder
- Aug 21, 2023
- 12
- 44
- 44
Can someone please help. I have a broody hen who was determined to sit so we let her. I tried to make sure all eggs were from the same day so they’d hatch at the same time I even marked them with an X. I go to check a few days later and found 6 extra eggs. My daughter apparently added a few extra for her. So the eggs she originally had was all from the same day and the added would’ve been 1-3 days difference. I was initially not trying to disturb or discourage her from sitting. Today is day 21 I went out this afternoon and found 1 baby fully dry and fluffed with mom outside of the nest, 2 others hatched but still in the dry but wet looking stage and 1 that had almost completely came out of the shell but sadly was deceased. Mom was off the eggs and I’m not sure how long I did not check them last night A’s everything I read said to leave her alone the last few days as it got closer to day 21. I took all 3 babies and put them in a make shift brooder as I was going to let mom do everything. But since she moved off the eggs I thought taking them would make her get back on the remaining eggs. She is currently back on and I did notice when I was looking that one had pipped a small piece of the outer shell was gone I could see baby moving and hear little chirps but unsure how long baby has been like that. She currently has 13 eggs left.
Should I help the chick the started to pip or is there a time to know when to intervene if it doesn’t progress? Should I keep removing the babies so she’ll continue to sit? How long should I let her continue to sit or how can I tell if the remaining are still viable? Any help or insight is greatly appreciated. I also DO NOT have an incubator. Which if we ever decide to do this again I will most definitely be purchasing before hand to be safe.
This is Meeks’s first hatch she’s a red sexlink if that helps. I’m not sure how long she had been off the eggs they did feel cool to the touch but it was warm today around 90 outside.
Also, I’m sorry if this is all over the place I’m so stressed out as I’m sure she’s even more than I am but my little kids 3&4 are super excited and I don’t want to do anything to harm the rest or cause mom anymore stress.
Should I help the chick the started to pip or is there a time to know when to intervene if it doesn’t progress? Should I keep removing the babies so she’ll continue to sit? How long should I let her continue to sit or how can I tell if the remaining are still viable? Any help or insight is greatly appreciated. I also DO NOT have an incubator. Which if we ever decide to do this again I will most definitely be purchasing before hand to be safe.
This is Meeks’s first hatch she’s a red sexlink if that helps. I’m not sure how long she had been off the eggs they did feel cool to the touch but it was warm today around 90 outside.
Also, I’m sorry if this is all over the place I’m so stressed out as I’m sure she’s even more than I am but my little kids 3&4 are super excited and I don’t want to do anything to harm the rest or cause mom anymore stress.