Broody won't get off nest after hatch

[member 129538]

I've very proud to announce my first hen hatch! I gave her some turkey eggs to hatch and she has 5 babies under her. It's been over 24 hours since the first once hatched and she still insists on sitting on the nest. I took out the empty egg shells because she kept pushing them under her for hatching. When will she get off the nest and show the babies the food and water? I've already watched one chick leave the nest to get a drink.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I've very proud to announce my first hen hatch! I gave her some turkey eggs to hatch and she has 5 babies under her. It's been over 24 hours since the first once hatched and she still insists on sitting on the nest. I took out the empty egg shells because she kept pushing them under her for hatching. When will she get off the nest and show the babies the food and water? I've already watched one chick leave the nest to get a drink.

For the future health and well being of her chicks, hens naturally stay on the nest for 72 hours after the hatch. The hen instinctively knows and understand this but we humans not so much.

Keep this in mind when you shuffle around or introduce new eggs under a hen who is already setting. You are potentially hurting your own chicks.

 

[member 129538]

Good to know. Someone told me to take the empty egg shells out. *sigh*

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Your hen will continue to sit on her babies for a few days. This is natural. It's a safe bonding time between mama and chicks. Don't disturb them during this time.

 

[member 129538]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll leave her in peace.