Baby chicks less than 24 hours old

[Corrie W]

I've raised chickens before, but have always gotten them at an older age or from tractor supply. This I'd the first time I have ever let my chickens lay and hatch their own babies.... which I am so excited about. This will be my hens first time. So far she has hatched 5 babies. At this point I have 3 that are almost four days old and now 2 that hatched sometime today while I was at work.

I have them all in a brooder but separated so they bigger ones won't hurt the new babies.

The youngest two seem fine, they're just clumsy and one (the one laying in the back, who is for sure less than 12 hours old) seems to struggle walking and just wants to lay down. Is that normal? About the only thing they are good at is making a mess, tripping over their feet and being cute.

Please, give me all your tricks, tips and wise advice.

 

[dpenning]

If they were mama hatched is there any reason they can't be mama raised? Perhaps segregate them from the rest of the flock but let mom do her thing.

 

[Corrie W]

If they were mama hatched is there any reason they can't be mama raised? Perhaps segregate them from the rest of the flock but let mom do her thing.

She is separated and did fine hatching them but didn't want much to do with them after they hatched. As much as I wanted to let her, she didnt seem interested since shes still sitting on eggs and refused to let them get anywhere near the food so I got concerned.

 

[dpenning]

Hmm, I've never had a broody so I'll let someone with experience chime in. Do you think the remaining eggs are still viable?

As far as raising new chicks, they are a hoot. Just watch their behavior to see if they are too warm or too cold, adjust accordingly. Dip their beaks in water to make sure they know where to find that. You should put down some paper towels over the news paper. Newsprint is too slick and it can cause leg problems, you need to give them paper towels or rubber shelf liner or something with a little traction. They won't be as clumsy that way.

Good luck! They are a bunch of fun!

 

[Corrie W]

Hmm, I've never had a broody so I'll let someone with experience chime in. Do you think the remaining eggs are still viable?

As far as raising new chicks, they are a hoot. Just watch their behavior to see if they are too warm or too cold, adjust accordingly. Dip their beaks in water to make sure they know where to find that. You should put down some paper towels over the news paper. Newsprint is too slick and it can cause leg problems, you need to give them paper towels or rubber shelf liner or something with a little traction. They won't be as clumsy that way.

Good luck! They are a bunch of fun!

I actually just put paper towel down for them! I believe there will be at least two more hatch, I can see little cracks where they've started pipping to come through. I'm going to give it a few more days before I do anything with them, just in case. Especailly since these two came three days later than the first three.

Fingers crossed for good luck and healthy chicks! I've never had a broody myself and have always had older chicks so hoping for the best!

 

[50-45-1]

If all the eggs were started at the same time and this is not astagered batch your hen would not have stayed contantly on the nest after she had her clutch of chicks. If you take her babies away from her, she will continue to set on the remaining and they may not be viable and rot. Not good for her.
I say give her back her babies and let her enjoy what she has worked so hard for.
She will bring the babies out and begin to teach them all the things they know to survive.
Also she does all the work and you dont have to.
No heat lamps, no litter changing.
Just make sure to provide a place for her, and chik starter an a chick waterer.
Sit back and enjoy.

 

[Corrie W]

If all the eggs were started at the same time and this is not astagered batch your hen would not have stayed contantly on the nest after she had her clutch of chicks. If you take her babies away from her, she will continue to set on the remaining and they may not be viable and rot. Not good for her.
I say give her back her babies and let her enjoy what she has worked so hard for.
She will bring the babies out and begin to teach them all the things they know to survive.
Also she does all the work and you dont have to.
No heat lamps, no litter changing.
Just make sure to provide a place for her, and chik starter an a chick waterer.
Sit back and enjoy.

It was a staggered batch, I didn't have her separated from the other hen so they continuously laid eggs... that's why I'm not sure when the rest will hatch, I see movement in them when I candle them though.

My only concern with giving them back and I have considered it, given that these two are much smaller... the bigger ones pecked at them and charged them.. to no avail they couldn't get away. I don't want them all to be together and someone get hurt since there is such a difference in size.