Abandoned egg hatching

[elfarny]

My hen hatched 3chicks on Monday. Hasn't set on the remaining 4 eggs since early yesterday. One of Them is hatching...will she reject, should I take the chick and hand raise it? she hasn't, been anywhere near the eggs today...she,s been out showing the rest of them around

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

There could be something wrong with the chick (does it stink?) My hens tend to leave out the chicks that are in mid-pip that have problems (leg, beak ect.)

Did you put the eggs under her at different times? Don't do that because she'll either stay on the nest for an extra 3 days or get off before the hatch. Just put all the eggs under her at one time.

 

[elfarny]

No , no smell involved. After the 1st 3 appeared she stayed on the nest, more or less all day tuesday and wednesday. Yesterday she left the nest and spent the day out with the three chicks. I don't think she was near the nest last night. She huddled in the other end of the coop with the chicks under her.

I admit this was pretty much all her doing...she was broody and I was taking the egg, but when she refused to leave the next for anything I let her keep 8 eggs, fishing out any new ones ( she had a helper on that one! The other hen would even sit on the eggs when she took a break) I had planned to remove the rest this weekend if they didn't hatch. I was kind of surprised when I got the 3. A black one, a red one, and a mostly yellow with some red. This afternoon one of the eggs hatched. The chick is dry now, but not doing much, from what I read it is resting, but without the benefit of any warmth. Any suggestions, or just let nature take its course? It is a warm day and the coop is warm inside.

 

[gabrielle1976]

You need to put it under a heat lamp at about 95 F . Or back under the hen. Keep it warm and then tonight when she is sleepy put it under her and watch her in the morning to see if she will take care of it . Dont just leave it please.

 

[elfarny]

thanks for the advice. When I got the hen and chicks back into the coop, she immedeatly went to the nestand just settled with them all. The new one wasn't very active, but I guess the morning will tell. I really appreciate all the information that's available here.

 

[elfarny]

This morning the 4th chick is still alive, and with the little bit I was "allowed" to see it, it looks ok. I admit I need a little more knowledge before I let a hen set again, but I know where I can find it! Thanks