Broody hen not feeding chicks

[peanutfeather]

Recently, my broody hen hatched 2 out of 3 eggs that I let her have. I was scared to let her hatch any in the first place because last year she tried to and killed the developing embryos in the process, so that’s nice. But so far so good. Except she’s not feeding her chicks at all and it’s been a little over a day since the first chick made it’s first crack in the egg. One chick is acting lethargic. I put medicated starter feed and water nearby the broody hen in hopes of her actually trying to feed her chicks. When should I intervene? I’m scared the chicks are going to die. I also have another broody hen who successfully hatched multiple chicks over the course of 3-4 years and I trust that chicken - should I put the chicks under her instead? I feel kind of bad about doing that because the other hen sat on the eggs for so long and got her rewards, but still. I really don’t want these chicks to die. But I also can’t stress too much over this because I’m really busy with school as well. Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Chickassan]

They have a three day store built in.
You could try tapping your finger in the bowl to try to coax the first ones yourself if you want, right now, a finger does pass for a hen.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Recently, my broody hen hatched 2 out of 3 eggs that I let her have. I was scared to let her hatch any in the first place because last year she tried to and killed the developing embryos in the process, so that’s nice. But so far so good. Except she’s not feeding her chicks at all and it’s been a little over a day since the first chick made it’s first crack in the egg. One chick is acting lethargic. I put medicated starter feed and water nearby the broody hen in hopes of her actually trying to feed her chicks. When should I intervene? I’m scared the chicks are going to die. I also have another broody hen who successfully hatched multiple chicks over the course of 3-4 years and I trust that chicken - should I put the chicks under her instead? I feel kind of bad about doing that because the other hen sat on the eggs for so long and got her rewards, but still. I really don’t want these chicks to die. But I also can’t stress too much over this because I’m really busy with school as well. Thanks in advance for any advice

Relax and take a chill pill. Let her do her thing. A day is nothing. They are resting and staying warm under her.
That's the reason it is legal to ship day old chicks. Because if shipped express when under 24 hours old, they don't need to eat or drink till they arrive at their destination.
All you have to do is make chick starter available and provide a water fount they can access and let nature take its course.

 

[2 many chickens]

Relax and take a chill pill. Let her do her thing. A day is nothing. They are resting and staying warm under her.
That's the reason it is legal to ship day old chicks. Because if shipped express when under 24 hours old, they don't need to eat or drink till they arrive at their destination.
All you have to do is make chick starter available and provide a water fount they can access and let nature take its course.

This^^^^^

The chicks are fine. Mama knows what she is doing.

 

[Chickassan]

The lethargy thing is actually pretty normal, they're always flopped out eyes.mostly closed the first day.

 

[peanutfeather]

Ok, turns out the hen is really good this time and didn't end up killing her chicks. They are now almost a week old.

But, on an unrelated note, there is another problem. As I was making breakfast today, I noticed - as I was looking out the window - one of our chicken's who has been escaping the coop daily HATCHED 9 CHICKS. They were just following her outside!!! Of course I want to keep them, but my dad unfortunately does not. I don't want him to kill them either; is there anyone or any place we can give the chicks to aside from family? Because I'm pretty sure that my relatives kill any chickens they don't want. I love chickens too much to let them go somewhere like that, but like my dad said, he's in charge. This really sucks.

 

[Percheron chick]

Put an ad up on CL.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

X2
Craigslist is the fastest and easiest way to sell chicks - especially if they are purebred and not a barnyard mix.

 

[peanutfeather]

Nevermind, my dad ended up keeping them. Thanks everyone