Eggs hatching at different times

[Big Daddy Cliff the Roost]

I know I'll find out soon enough, but my broody hatched 3 darling little chicks a week ago. She has brought them out and they are doing great! Today, I realized another chick is hatching. Any idea if she will care for this one? Chickens amaze me and I know she has some serious momma instincts, but I've also heard that sometimes they abandon late hatching chicks to care for the others. I have a light ready just in case, but just want to know what others have encountered. Thank you!

 

[Rooster G]

I have had hens that will take care of them, and I have had hens that were quite mean to them. I predict she will care for the new hatchling.

 

[Rakaiachick]

How did it pan out?

 

[Big Daddy Cliff the Roost]

Not well. She focused on the other chicks so we took the new hatchling in and put it in the brooder. It was doing great but we made the mistake of putting it back in at night with momma. The first night turned out great. We took it back to the brooder in the morning. It was eating and drinking - lots of energy, my son was watching it all day. Then we took it back the second night and found it dead in the morning. It was huddled in a corner. It’s my fault and a rookie mistake. The temp fluctuation May have been too much. Broke all of our hearts but I won’t make the mistake again. I ordered a small incubator just in case and will be ready if this happens again. I should have kept the little chick in the brooder until it was strong enough to join the rest.

 

[Yep I Talk To Chickens]

No she will not