BYC Café

[Shadrach]

You're right. I don't like it. But I do respect it.
What if it's just a late hatcher because it was on the outside of the clutch?
I thought the same thing about her leaving it, that there might be something wrong with it. But what if it hatches tonight and I put it under her and she does accept it?
If it dies or she kills it after that, then at least I know I did everything I could.

Doesn't matter what the reason is DL. If the mum leaves it then my view is I must respect the mums decision. There are always what ifs. You and she have a very good hatch. Let it go.
You might spend hours or days trying to save it only to find it has some problem that isn't apparent at this stage. I've been there and done that. I trust my hens. They know a lot more about the business than I do.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

You're right. I don't like it. But I do respect it.
What if it's just a late hatcher because it was on the outside of the clutch?
I thought the same thing about her leaving it, that there might be something wrong with it. But what if it hatches tonight and I put it under her and she does accept it?
If it dies or she kills it after that, then at least I know I did everything I could.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

This is a pretty good guide if you decide to continue with an assist.

 

[DobieLover]

Doesn't matter what the reason is DL. If the mum leaves it then my view is I must respect the mums decision. There are always what ifs. You and she have a very good hatch. Let it go.
You might spend hours or days trying to save it only to find it has some problem that isn't apparent at this stage. I've been there and done that. I trust my hens. They know a lot more about the business than I do.

Well, you and Penny have a lot more experience than I do and I completely respect what you both are telling me. And you're probably right. But I'm going to add this to my experiences and give the damn thing a chance. I'm going to help it along, hope for the best but expect the worst.

 

[room onthebroom]

I completely see Shads point, but I’m a ‘what if’ girl myself. I like to try to help if I can. Doesn’t always work out, but the ‘what if’s’ haunt me if I don’t at least try.

DL, I think we will all respect whatever you decide to do.

 

[Shadrach]

It's very difficult not to think of this in human terms. For chickens it's different. They lay a clutch because many will not survive. From the keepers perspective, particularly those who let broody hens sit and hatch once a hen has sat and hatched once, she'll almost always do it again. She might over her life hatch a 50 or more chicks. Losing one, or two on the way is how nature works.
I try to do what's best for the chick. It's already behind the others in development. In nature this would mean it would probably be the weakest and wouldn't be able to compete with the others for food and shelter position under mum and later I've found their disadvantage in mobility means they can't keep up with the rest and the likelyhood is they'll get left behind and something will eat them.
Whatever you decide, best of luck.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Do as you wish Dobie it is you heart that keeps beating

 

[Bunnylady]

Well, you and Penny have a lot more experience than I do and I completely respect what you both are telling me. And you're probably right. But I'm going to add this to my experiences and give the damn thing a chance. I'm going to help it along, hope for the best but expect the worst.

I understand where you are coming from. When it has worked so hard to get this far, it's hard to be so ruthless. Good luck to you both.

 

[CapricornFarm]

The broody raised girls I've had do seem to be more wary of everything. Zorra is a Hatchery bird and seemed pretty much oblivious to anything before I gave her the first batch of hatchery chicks when she was 3. Boy did she get attentive to EVERYTHING.


Probably because you can see the light at the end of the tunnel and want to get there


I didn't realize how many died in the Civil War (which wasn't very civil).

They thought it was going to be short, but it dragged on and on.

 

[DobieLover]

Right, wrong or indifferent, she's out. As soon as she fluffs up I'm putting her under her mother.

What happens after that is for nature and her mother to decide.
She sure is noisy.
Thank you @shawluvsbirds for the link. It was helpful.
Thank you Shad and Penny for keeping it real. We can all still hope for the best for this little one.
I named her MaeDay.

 

[Mtn Margie]

Good luck with the little chick, DL.
I just had rotisserie chicken and FRESH, within the hour, picked asparagus for dinner.
I love fresh ones. DS$ and I were eating them as we were heading for the car after working.