An egg hatched now what?????

[sarah91477]

So 3.5 weeks ago I noticed one of my hens acting funny. She was all puffed up and making noises. I thought at first that it was because we got some new hens and she was letting them know who was boss. Then I thought maybe she was actually egg-bound when I noticed she sat in a nesting box all night. So, long story short, I finally realized she was going "broody." Having no idea what I was doing, but thinking it was fun, I collected 2 fertilized eggs and put them under her. The next day I did the same thing, and the next and the next. (I know now that I should have put them all under at the same time.) There were 8 eggs total, but after a week or so one egg disappeared and another I found just a little yolk and blood from...so then there were 6. I left her and her 6 eggs in a nesting box in with the other 8 hens. (The nesting boxes are about 2 feet off of the ground so the others don't really bother her too much.) Anyway, long story short, today a chick hatched! YEAH!!!! So excited!!!! But, I never thought past a possible chick hatching. NOW WHAT???? I guess I wait a day to see if the others hatch too. But what do I do with that little chick and the mama so that the other's don't attempt anything with it? I never thought about the box being so high for it to fall out! What do I feed it.....starter food??? I assumed she would take care of it but so high off of the ground it cannot just get in and out. Plus there is a ramp to get in and out of the coop that I doubt it could master for a while. Any suggestions? I feel like a nervous wreck now!!!!!!

 

[cindy parker]

I had one chick hatch today too that we sat under our broody after being in an incubator for the first 18 days. I moved her entire nest into a Rubbermaid container on the floor of the run that's covered with tin to keep the sun out. I made sort of a dog house with the container be she seems to be happy with her one little chick she has 5 more under her so I'm hoping there will be more tomorrow.

 

[Broody Queen]

Sarah, congratulations on your chick! Since the hatch is a bit staggered it makes things a bit more difficult but dont freak out just yet, you have many options. The chick can survive 72 hours without food or water because it has absorbed its yolk sac, however if you are worried you can always take the chick away, feed it and return it, or feed it and water it with mama so she doesnt freak out if you take it away, or you can take it inside and look after it till the rest hatch (I wouldnt recommend this, i tried it last year when i was having the same problem as you and mama freaked out and got off her nest...). Yes, you should feed it starter food, if you dont have any on hand though you can boil an egg and feed it that. If you have any more questions just ask. Good luck!

 

[sarah91477]

Thank you for your responses. I have 4 out of 6 now. I did move her as one of them fell out of the nesting box and it freaked her out! She didn't want to sit on the other eggs at first but I kept putting them under her again when I would check on her. So 3 chicks and 3 eggs were moved to the floor in a blocked off area. I am hoping that the 2 remaining eggs still hatch! I have brought in some starter food and a water bottle with a "nipple" attached. Momma was very thankful for the additional cold water as it was HOT in the coop yesterday. I helped 3 of the 4 chicks peck at it and they got it. The 4th was such a new hatch that I left it alone for a little bit as I am sure it is exhausted. Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Obviously I know what to do differently next time! Here are a couple of pictures....

 

[Broody Queen]

Aww, they're adorable! Congratulations!!