Broody has left other eggs to care for chicks

[1n0o]

We had 6 chicks hatch (2 about 48 hours ago and 4 sometime yesterday. Today, Momma and chicks have moved to the other side of the coop. I had a partition in the coop to keep the other chickens away and have opened the run door for them to free range at sun up everyday since the hatch. Now I have 5 more eggs that haven't hatched and do not have a momma hen sitting on them. Do I just leave them there? The chicks are moving about and she needs to care for them.

Second question, our rooster (daddy) came into the coop while we were out there and spotted the chicks. Momma hen didn't seem too concerned, but I was very hyperalert. He walked over to another corner and started fussing in an area where the other hens have been laying and clucking like he had a treat, but also was making his low almost growling sound when he doesn't want me close. Then he squatted like he was laying an egg and started making weird noises. Might this be some kind of protective call? He isn't an aggressive rooster at all. When he was making all the noise, Momma called the chicks under her and then he left the coop. Another hen came in and looked at them all and just left. Hoping this can all be interpreted as a good sign and introduction. Thoughts?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Do your self a favor and toss any remaining eggs. As someone else has already posted in another thread today, chickens have been hatching eggs for millions of years. What was not said is that at the most humans have only been hatching chicks for maybe the last 5,000 years. Everything being equal my money is on the sitting hen knowing what is best.

The other members of the flock ignoring the new flock members is the usual reaction of chickens to new flock members.

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

Candle or water test and see if any are still viable; if they are still viable then try and lock momma in the nest spot so she’ll still sit but have the babies close enough to be watchful.

 

[BirdGirl2004]

Aww man. I hate that! At least you got some chickadees! Every time that my chickens act as if they are broody, they never actually hatch a darn thing! Good luck!

 

[1n0o]

I candled the eggs and got rid of the two that were empty. Three looked completely dark and I left those. She is back on the eggs with the chicks under her. My 6 year old hung out there in the coop all afternoon and said the other chickens seemed to be fine around them. I was concerned because she is the lowest hen of my 5. Very sweet but easily picked on. She seems to be a good first time mommy.

 

[1n0o]

Here is my update. Two more egg hatched this morning. There are now 8 chicks. 7 are yellow or light red and one of the two that hatched today is black (must be my Black Australorp's egg) My broody has tried to kill the black chick that hatched today, but accepted the other light one that looks like the other chicks. One egg still remains. We removed the black chick and now have it in a brooder box in my teenager's room. I am so very sad that it is all alone. The other hens don't seem to care about the chicks and momma in the corner of the coop. Rooster still making weird noises but just seems interested in them. I really think he wants them to come out of the coop. He really likes to keep everyone together. Of course, how should I know what a rooster is thinking. Anyway. tired afternoon, but my kids are overjoyed that one of the chicks in now a house pet for the time being.