Day old behavior of mama & chicks

[rkinley]

So hatch day was yesterday. I have no idea how many at this point cuz mama is keeping them under wraps. Is this normal? Last go-round she was in a brooder area and they were bebopping around like crazy on day 2. This time I couldn't get her moved in time and they hatched in the main coop. I do hear peeping, so they are alive at least!

The plan is to move mom and the littles this evening if possible down to the brooder area. Mom just looks really tired. Any thoughts?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Are there more eggs under her?
My broody hatched her clutch in the main coop and once the babies were dried and fluffy i moved them into a see but don’t touch kennel wrapped in Hardware cloth.
In the meantime I would put a small container of mashed chick feed and another with water with Nutri-Drench to give momma a boost. Good luck with your new babies!!!! Post pics!!!!

 

[Spartan22]

Yep very normal, since she’s keeping the temp and humidity of the eggs and the chicks that hatched consistent. She will be very protective of them at this point. Be very careful in moving them since she might get spooked and accidentally injure the little ones.

 

[50-45-1]

i would move after dark tonight. do you have a place set up for her?
if there are remaining eggs under her there is a possibility they may hatch to so move those with her.
she will still come off the eggs and make sure the newly hatch chicks learn how to eat and drink.
if those eggs do not hatch by day 24 i would take them away.
i say that assuming this is not a stagered hatch.

 

[rkinley]

This is not a staggered hatch but I think there must be eggs still under. I'll wait to move her until after dark. And good tip on her getting spooked. I'm scared to death!

Great idea on feeding her. I dropped some good in there for her and she ate but hadn't figured out how to get water in her.

 

[sourland]

I agree with what everyone else has said. The only thing I would add since you say that 'she looks tired' is to check her for a possible mite infestation. Sometimes they build up in the nest of a broody hen and can be seriously debilitating - sometimes to the point of killing the hen.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

What day of hatch is this?

The best time to move is day 2 after the first hatch. Babes have enough stores from the egg yolk to last 2 days after hatch. Generally hens will be up and taking those babes to food and water on day 1 1/2 to day 2.

If some eggs are still unhatched, it gets trickier. Some hens abandon eggs at day 2 to care for littles. Some hens stick with the eggs and ignore the needs of the littles. Some get really spooky and insecure as they don't know what to do. Moving those hens can cause problems until you solve the unhatched egg situation.

I try not to move if there is a possibility of more hatching as you will likely interrupt that. As stated, moms tend to reject either chicks or eggs as tensions are high with newly hatched and currently hatching chicks.

If you think that the chicks that have hatched are it, or are willing to risk or abandon or put in the incubator the unhatched chicks, then yes, move chicks and momma to a prepared place after dark. Momma should be somewhat confined with nice nest and a little run space to help her settle.

If you can get help, that is the best way. If not, then an oversized coat with deep pockets helps contain chicks while you move momma unless your chicks cannot get out of the main coop nest (mine can wander if they hatch there).

You want to place momma in the new nest then slip chicks immediately under her or she will panic and try to return to her original nest. Depending on the hen, I sometimes move at least one or two unhatched eggs to help momma settle, if she is a hen that favors unhatched eggs. If she has indicated her focus is on live chicks, I move only mom and chicks.

If you can, block the main nest so that hatching can finish. Mommas generally move very easily when they are in the mood to abandon the nest and take the babes to a clean area...the natural instinct after hatching is done.

My thoughts.
LofMc