Eggs just started pipping - they are outside with moms, but want to move them inside so kids can see

[slou]

Will that disrupt the process? I have two moms sitting on the eggs (6), and 2-3 have small holes in them. I was going to move everyone inside once they've hatched but it would be great if the kids had experience of seeing chicks hatch. But I don't want to risk the moms not doing their job... Can anyone share from personal experience what they recommend? thanks!

 

[chicmom]

Oh that would be a bad idea. The reason is, mama's body is just right for those chicks, as far as temp and humidity goes. Hatching is the most difficult journey for a chick, and you never want to disrupt that.

See, the membranes in their eggs could dry up, and then they may never escape the egg, dieing in the shell. The best thing for them would be to let mama do her job.

Sharon

 

[slou]

I was going to move moms with the hatching eggs, so the moms would still be with them. But if there's a chance it would make moms too upset to oversee hatch then it obviously isn't right. I'm leaving the out for now...

 

[bobbi-j]

Please just leave them alone and don't bother them for a day or so until the chicks have hatched. You could upset the mamas enough that they might leave the nest, resulting in dead chicks, or they could stomp around in the nest, also killing the chicks. If you want your kids to see chicks hatch, get an inexpensive plastic/foam incubator with the large plastic viewing windows on top and let them watch from there.

 

[leadwolf1]

Great advice!

Please just leave them alone and don't bother them for a day or so until the chicks have hatched. You could upset the mamas enough that they might leave the nest, resulting in dead chicks, or they could stomp around in the nest, also killing the chicks. If you want your kids to see chicks hatch, get an inexpensive plastic/foam incubator with the large plastic viewing windows on top and let them watch from there.

 

[DirtCreature]

I was thinking, if your kids REALLY wanna watch, why not bring the kids to the coop or hens... ? why bring the eggs and hen to the kids!? LOL

 

[leadwolf1]

So true. I remember as a kid sitting for hours in the coop waiting for the chicks to hatch!!! It was so exciting Of course, I would always have to go in for lunch, supper or the bathroom and miss the actual hatching

I actually had to wait until last year when I finally got an incubator to see the hatch! It was amazing!!! My boys have watched numerous times and it never gets old!!! That's why, I would recommend an incubator...it's so much easier to get to see the entire process!!

 

[SierraView]

I lifted a broody off the nest to make sure no other hens were laying eggs in there, I did this every day. One day I seen 3 eggs pipped when i lifted her up and I set her back down. Those 3 pipped eggs didn't hatch they got stuck in the shell. I've been careful since to note the hatch date by the nest box so I leave them alone when they are close.