Broody hatched 3 babies and left the nest, got locked up in a separate area and another baby hatched and looks really weak

[Strawberry74]

They are chickens. Our very first chicks hatched out here so I feel like a dad at the hospital waiting on news about his wife and quadruplets

Lol... take a breath and try to relax. She sounds like she is doing her job by sitting on the remaining eggs and already hatched chicks. Hopefully they are penned so they cannot get away from mom and wander off into trouble. Make sure the "pen" is hardwire cloth or very shall openings so they can't get out. Wire dog kennels don't work. Most broodies will sit another day or two and the already hatched chicks will be fine without food or water as they are absorbing the yolk. You can put some food and water near so they can start experimenting. Once mom gets up for good you will want to check the remaining eggs for life. They usually "know" when no more will hatch but if the eggs were staggered in their incubation they could just be a few more days behind. If she is still sitting and you check the eggs for signs of life and there are none you can pull the eggs and she'll get the hint to get up with her hatch.

 

[ducklover128]

Are these chickens or ducks? Lol. I wasn't sure.

Anyway, I always keep ducklings and chicks separate from the others for the first several days. I've never had it happen but have had friends "lose" chicks or ducklings with no trace when they get away from mama by accident and she is still sitting on the hatch. Not sure if they wander off or get eaten by others or what, but I don't like to run the risk.

Usually when somebody disappears without a trace, a snake is the culprit. I guess there's not many critters that couldn't haul off a whole baby chick or duck though. I would think even a rat or a squirrel could haul a baby off in a split second. That sounds better than "the other flock members ate it" to me. I had no idea, that chickens were so ruthless and brutal, until we got them and I started researching them. Now it seems normal to think about the pecking order and how they keep it all together. I don't like it, but I understand it. BUT I never heard about ducking order. I get so frustrated with the ducks because they can be so mean and rude and outcast one poor soul like they are a leper or something. It's heartbreaking to watch. I guess it's nature though. Bi-polar in its original form. I swear they make me bi-polar. I'm all happy "yay we got cute little babies " then 20 minutes later "omg what's wrong how did that even happen?" Then they pick on each other and start fighting or arguing, and im like " can't we all just get along? We ain't doing this today y'all." Then the anxiety sets in for the outcast member or the new babies. "Omg I hope everybody is ok and nobody dies or vanishes overnight". This flock is either "bi-polar poultry farm" or "emotionally unstable homestead" maybe the " ducked up clucked up compound".

 

[ducklover128]

Lol... take a breath and try to relax. She sounds like she is doing her job by sitting on the remaining eggs and already hatched chicks. Hopefully they are penned so they cannot get away from mom and wander off into trouble. Make sure the "pen" is hardwire cloth or very shall openings so they can't get out. Wire dog kennels don't work. Most broodies will sit another day or two and the already hatched chicks will be fine without food or water as they are absorbing the yolk. You can put some food and water near so they can start experimenting. Once mom gets up for good you will want to check the remaining eggs for life. They usually "know" when no more will hatch but if the eggs were staggered in their incubation they could just be a few more days behind. If she is still sitting and you check the eggs for signs of life and there are none you can pull the eggs and she'll get the hint to get up with her hatch.

Thank you so much. I really wanna check on the new guy, but I don't wanna disturb momma....but I feel like I need to check in. Is there anything I can look for to know if the newest baby is getting better or getting worse? And what are some things I can do if it does take a turn for the worse? Or should I just leave them alone till tomorrow?

 

[Strawberry74]

You *should* just leave her to do her job. Nature almost always knows better than us fumbling humans, but I know the urge to help all to well. If it's dark you can go out with a flashlight and gently lift her chest to take a peek. I wouldn't risk moving her off the nest. Babies can and do get stepped on and crushed (even when we aren't snooping and messing with them.) If you can convince yourself to let her handle her hatch that is truly best.

How many eggs are still under her to hatch? What day did the first hatch? Were any eggs added by you or her or other hens after she started sitting?

 

[ducklover128]

You *should* just leave her to do her job. Nature almost always knows better than us fumbling humans, but I know the urge to help all to well. If it's dark you can go out with a flashlight and gently lift her chest to take a peek. I wouldn't risk moving her off the nest. Babies can and do get stepped on and crushed (even when we aren't snooping and messing with them.) If you can convince yourself to let her handle her hatch that is truly best.

How many eggs are still under her to hatch? What day did the first hatch? Were any eggs added by you or her or other hens after she started sitting?

Im not sure, but anywhere from 4 to 7 eggs left. We saw them for the first time this morning. So they hatched either last night or early this morning. And we did not add any eggs, and don't think anybody else laid an egg in there, but it could've happened when she was up to eat and use the bathroom. We haven't seen anybody else in there.

 

[ducklover128]

I'm gonna go out and hang with the ducks for a bit, so I'll be close to her if anything happens. I know she won't tell me if she needs help. Independent broody chicken mommas.

 

[ducklover128]

You *should* just leave her to do her job. Nature almost always knows better than us fumbling humans, but I know the urge to help all to well. If it's dark you can go out with a flashlight and gently lift her chest to take a peek. I wouldn't risk moving her off the nest. Babies can and do get stepped on and crushed (even when we aren't snooping and messing with them.) If you can convince yourself to let her handle her hatch that is truly best.

How many eggs are still under her to hatch? What day did the first hatch? Were any eggs added by you or her or other hens after she started sitting?

Thank you for your help. I am so thankful for this web site and all the wonderful, helpful, feather lovers who have so much valuable knowledge and are willing to share it to help as many feathery friends as possible. I thank you, and my feathery flock family thanks you. Especially Bernadette, the hen sitting on the nest right now, who is grateful to you especially, because I'll not be messing with her tonight.

 

[Strawberry74]

Did you survive your hands of night? I am sure it was somewhat sleepless!

Can't wait to see some pictures of Bernadette and her brood once the hatch is over.

Happy to help! Hatching is fun but can be nerve-wracking.

 

[Strawberry74]

What's the scoop. You have me worried!

 

[ducklover128]

What's the scoop. You have me worried!

Well, Bernadette has 3 babies. The 4th beautiful one lived about a day and died. It had some obvious issues, and passed sometime this evening. Her and the 3 babies are good though. I try to be as hands off as possible. Let nature take it's course, but it's hard sometimes . I don't ever want anything to suffer, especially a tiny little floofy baby ...as soon as I get a pic, you will be the first to know! Thank you again. You were a great help!