Eggs in incubator

[Callahan603]

How late can you put eggs in incubator? We have a hen who has hatched one egg. There are 2 others peeping but she keeps getting off of them to take care of one that is hatched. Can we put those peeping eggs in incubator?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Once she spends any length of time off the nest, I'd stick them in the incubator immediately.
I suspect a staggered hatch.

 

[Callahan603]

Good news we got two more chicks! Bad news I’m not prepared with chick starter food. Can they eat layer crumbles until I’m able to make it to the store. We were really not expecting these eggs to hatch at all

 

[sourland]

Layer crumbles are better than nothing. They will not eat very much initially.

 

[Wi_Pida]

Good news we got two more chicks! Bad news I’m not prepared with chick starter food. Can they eat layer crumbles until I’m able to make it to the store. We were really not expecting these eggs to hatch at all

You don't need to worry about feeding the chicks for the first 24 to 48 hours. During this time they're living off the yoke. So you have time to go out tomorrow and get yourself some chick starter food.

 

[Callahan603]

Thank you!!! This is our first time ever doing this. Mama hen had been hiding eggs and disappeared for a few days. Then showed back up so my kids went and found the eggs made a nest in a dog crate and put her and the eggs in there. She has been laying on them for 3 weeks and we got the first one yesterday!! So exciting but stressful. She seems to be mothering them well and laying on them and trying to show them how to eat.

 

[Cynthia12]

Good to hear that she's being a good mama. .