egg just hatched - now what?!!

[photo chick]

We've had a broody hen sitting on 5 eggs. Our first ever broody. While we were away this weekend one of them hatched. We took her/him inside since the barn is not suitable for a chick and put her in our brooder with chick starter, water and a 95 degree environment. The chick peeped a lot at first as it was drying off. But now she's just laying around. She doesn't seem to be able to walk more than two steps (we've had her inside about 3 hours now). How do I know if she's just tired or if she's not doing well? She keeps lying flat down. I know that she must be tired but I'm nervous since I've had two batches of chicks die from a hatchery this summer.

Also...her lower abdomen seems puffy and very soft. She's almost leaning back on her bottom when she stands because her backend is heavy. Is this normal?

What behavior should I expect from a newborn chick?

 

[bigredshaverhen]

You know that they store their yolk in their rear end don't you?........

 

[iwiw60]

Firstly, you most probably made a mistake by removing the chick from the broody. The mama hen will take very good care of her little ones. Have you had any more hatch out? You might be able to put the chick back under the broody...do this at night...and stay and watch that she takes her back in...most times they will.

Broodys can take care of their young far better than we humans can....let us know how it goes!