Day 22 of broody hen

[amymarie1221]

My broody is sitting on three eggs. Today is day 22. One hatched on day 20. Don't see any pips on the other two, however I haven't inspected them totally because I don't want to disrupt the mom. She is in a nesting box so I was hoping all would hatch around the same time so I could move them to a bigger place. There's no room for food or water so I have been putting a tiny cup in there to let her eat a bit then taking it out. I have a few questions. Should I move mom and chick and two remaining eggs tonight at dark? I'm afraid she will stop sitting on them. Should I give them one more day? Should I try to candle or is there a way to see if the eggs have live chicks in them? Or should I stop worrying and bet nature and momma do their thing?

 

[Farmgal101]

stop worrying and let nature and momma do their thing.They will be fine wait two more days if they did not hatch in 30 days its probably about time to toss them out.Is she alone or is there othere chickens in the same coop

 

[amymarie1221]

stop worrying and let nature and momma do their thing.They will be fine wait two more days if they did not hatch in 30 days its probably about time to toss them out.Is she alone or is there othere chickens in the same coop

What do I do about food and water for momma and baby?

 

[Farmgal101]

What do I do about food and water for momma and baby?

Are there other chickens in the same coop as her?

 

[amymarie1221]

Are there other chickens in the same coop as her?

Yes

 

[Farmgal101]

Yes

You need to block those chickens from getting to her or I suggest moving her.I personally have my broody hatch the eggs and I put the baby chick in a brooder with a heat lamp with food and water without the mom there.

 

[mymilliefleur]

My broody is sitting on three eggs. Today is day 22. One hatched on day 20. Don't see any pips on the other two, however I haven't inspected them totally because I don't want to disrupt the mom. She is in a nesting box so I was hoping all would hatch around the same time so I could move them to a bigger place. There's no room for food or water so I have been putting a tiny cup in there to let her eat a bit then taking it out. I have a few questions. Should I move mom and chick and two remaining eggs tonight at dark? I'm afraid she will stop sitting on them. Should I give them one more day? Should I try to candle or is there a way to see if the eggs have live chicks in them? Or should I stop worrying and bet nature and momma do their thing?

She will need to get off the nest with the chick in the next day or two. Definitely try candling the remaining eggs, and definitely move mama and baby to their own place so the other chickens won't kill the chick. I have never known a mama to quit sitting after her eggs have started to sit, so I wouldn't worry about that.

 

[amymarie1221]

She will need to get off the nest with the chick in the next day or two. Definitely try candling the remaining eggs, and definitely move mama and baby to their own place so the other chickens won't kill the chick. I have never known a mama to quit sitting after her eggs have started to sit, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Should I wait till it's dark to move them?

 

[mymilliefleur]

Should I wait till it's dark to move them?

That would work best. Good luck!

 

[bobbi-j]

I would move her and the baby off the nest tomorrow. Generally, when broody hatching, whatever chicks are going to hatch, will all do so within 24 hours of the first one. You could try candling the other eggs, just to be sure.

I leave my mamas with chicks in with the flock, as to many long-time chicken keepers here on the forum. The other chickens learn real quick to avoid a mama with fresh babies. She's temperamental enough, she'll protect her baby. Sometimes a baby will get too close to another hen and she may give him a little peck on the head. This is not to harm him, but to teach him some manners. The little ones learn to stay out of the adults' space. What I have observed with my broodies is that they will keep the babies to themselves for a few days before taking them out with the rest of the flock.