Babies are here! Questions

[linnydane]

Hello, I had a hen hatch eggs in a nest box. I didn't catch her until it was too late to move her and the eggs so I figured I'd just let it play out and move her and the babies down to the brooder after the hatch. A week ago today I went out to check on them and we had two healthy fluffy babies. I assume some eggs were slipped in after she started sitting so I didn't know if she would give up on the others or keep sitting on them. To give everybody the best chance, I moved her, the babies, and the other 4 unhatched eggs down into the brooder with food and water. She has been a wonderful momma hen and dutifully sat on her remaining clutch while still caring for her two hatched babies showing them food and water and keeping them warm. Today, one of the 4 eggs has pipped and I can see the chick's beak moving through the hole. I am concerned because, the weather has dropped almost twenty degrees over the last day or two and it is supposed to get colder tonight (low of 47). The momma hen is spending most of her time at the other end of the brooder with her two babies but still sits on the eggs once in awhile. Do I just leave them and let nature take its course? I put a light in the brooder pointed at the eggs, will that help? Should I do anything else?

 

[Pork Pie]

I would imagine that if the hen is no longer sitting on the eggs constantly (well, almost), they will no hatch. Eggs need not only warmth, but the correct levels of humidity to hatch. I'd suggest letting nature take its course and leave them for another couple of days and if there are no signs of hatching from the remaining eggs, then remove them.

 

[Lalegid]

That's a tricky one! If I were you I would take the eggs out and keep them warm,I think it would give them a better chance of hatching. Can you set something up - hot water cupboard, or a box with a heat lamp? They will need humidity too, I would surround them with damp sponges or paper towels.