Current hatch and when to give up or cull

kubotafoot

Songster
10 Years
Apr 12, 2014
245
205
196
Burlington, Connecticut
Broody hen set on 15 eggs from her and her friends.....
2 hatched on Friday.....
9 hatched Saturday.....
4 eggs left she was still setting on until late this AM when one had a head out and she left it with her 11 others to a separate area of the pen. Chick was very much alive and I brought it into the house and put it into the incubator. 20 minutes later it was out of the shell and moving about. Doing fine, moving eating mash and drinking and being very vocal! Went back out and Mother had not returned to the nest.
I removed complete nest and cleaned it and remade it all for her. Put it back in pen w/out the last 3 eggs and she hustled all the chicks back into the new, fresh nest......
As I moved the unhatched eggs, I heard distinct chirping from one, maybe 2 eggs and they all candle as full. Do I put them in the incubator and try to finish the hatch, or does the Mother know something I don't about these eggs and I should dispose of them?
Thanks for your knowledge in these matters.
 
Those eggs were probably added after she started setting; therefore, they will hatch later than the original clutch. All the hen knows is that it is time to leave the nest and get food and water for her chicks. Definitely put the eggs in an incubator.
 

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