Assisted hatch!

[Kattee]

I ordered 3 fertile eggs (do not want more chickens, but felt bad for my broody hen) one actually started hatching but on the wrong end of the egg. She was stuck for 24hour's, no way she could zip, she had the membrane sticking to her upper body. I brought her in after no progress last night and peeled the outer shell off and the dried out membrane around her head. Her bum looks a little mushy but she's moving, chirping, and opening her eyes. No blood, can I slip her back in with mom or did I screw their bonding up. I've only had her out for half an hour at this point. Help! Just want to do the right thing. Thanks! Katie

 

[Eggcessive]

I would try to slip the chick under the broody, and hang around for a bit to see that she takes care of it, then check back often for the first day. I have added chicks from the feed store successfully under a broody, but every hen will act differently. If the chick is weak or sickly, it is possible that she won't care for it, but I think it is worth a try.

 

[Kattee]

I do think it's weak but she took him back sucessfully. She pulled on his toes a few times (wondering if she was just trying to get gunk off him? ) I've checked a few times and she is being very protective of him, he's still laying around. I don't think he was completely ready to come out yet. She has him tucked under her breast with his head out, but she keeps covering his head with pine shavings. Every time I uncover it she covers it back up, is that okay:/?

 

[Kattee]

Baby is still doing really good, I think he's going to make it. My only concern is he's the only baby and I hope he won't be lonely after mama cut the cord and he's too small to defend himself. I'm just happy he made it!

 

[Kattee]

Baby is doing great, but mama wanted to introduce him to the rest of the flock today (he's 5 day's old) so as terrified as I was i let her. The younger flock ran off when she growled but mama's flock challenged her and then ganged up on her, it was me and mama against the whole flock, and baby ran off. Mama and I of course won, but I don't know if it would of been the same outcome had I not been there. Needless to say I put mama and baby back in the coop, protected and now I don't know what the right thing to do is, help!! Side note she was okay sharing food with them she didn't peck at them until they looked at the baby.

 

[Eggcessive]

That first day out is always a bit scary, so I would probably check often. I usually make sure they have a cage to get into for a few days where I can lock up a timid broody. Usually be now the bond is pretty tight, and she will protect it, but every case is different. You could always put them in a little pen for a few more days. It is best that the other hens can see the babies, and after a while they lose interest and accept them.