Broody hens, chick-napping, and unhatched eggs - HELP!

[Courtney5006]

Here's the back story: I had three hens (two silkies and a japanese bantam) start sitting within a couple of days of each other. The japanese bantam's clutch started hatching first and the silkies abandoned their nests and started fighting with her over the chicks. This started 3 days ago while I was out of town, and by the time I'd returned 24 hours later I had 8 chicks and 3 really upset hens. I pulled the silkies out of the coop/pen, gave them each a few chicks, and put them in separate crates with food/water (none of these crazy ladies had led the chicks out to food and water yet). I left the japanese bantam with one chick (the smallest, wettest one) and put all the eggs under her. Since then she has hatched 4 more. I went out today and pulled the unhatched eggs out of the nesting box and the japanese bantam hopped out with all of the chicks and immediately took them to food and water. But then I heard little cheeps coming from at least one egg! I put the eggs back in and watched the hen gather up her chicks and immediately get back on the nest.

So, here are my questions: How much longer should I leave the eggs? How much longer can the chicks with the JB go without access to food and water? How can I tell if the unhatched eggs are viable? (some of them must have gotten cold or knocked around when the silkies started stealing chicks.) When can I put all the hens/chicks back in the coop together?

 

[Hillaire]

hello, and welcome to BYC! How exciting to have your broodys hatch out some eggs. The chicks with the Japanese bantam can go 3 days without food and water so they will be fine... Since you heard chirping coming from the egg that means that the chick is pretty close to hatching so it shouldn't be long. Watch that silkie who has the chick sometimes they just want to sit and not mother them... silkies are great broodys but can be crappy moms. This isn't always the case I have a silkie that is a great mother hen but sometimes all they wanna do is just sit. As far as putting the chicks/hens back together once everyone is hatched you can put them back in the coop. (at least that's what I do) Hopefully we get to see these new babies of yours! we love pictures

 

[Courtney5006]

Thank you so much for your response! I feel much better about the chicks and I really appreciate the heads up on the silkie. I will be sure to post some pics!