Eggs under broody hen

[Stinkin Cute Chickens]

Before they hatch the chick absorbs the yolk. They can live off of that without eating or drinking for 72 hours or more. That's nature's way of allowing the first to hatch to wait for the later ones to hatch. No need to panic yet.

Staggered hatches are really stressful, I'm sure you'll manage differently next time. But this is this time. The chicks talk to the hen. After they internal pip they start peeping while inside the egg. That let's Mama know that they are on the way, don't leave me. But at some point the first ones that hatch will get hungry and thirsty. They will let Mama know that. At that point she has to decide whether she takes the first ones off the nest or waits for the latest. Most choose to abandon the nest and take care of the first ones. Like I said, it gets stressful.

What are your options? If she brings the first chicks off of the nest you can put any remaining eggs in an incubator and try to hatch them if you have one. If they hatch in a couple of days you have a fair chance of giving them back to Mama to raise. That doesn't always work but sometimes it does. Another option is to take the first chicks away and brood them yourself, she might stay on the nest to hatch the others or she may abandon the nest since some did hatch. Or you can let nature take its course.


Good question in case you decide to brood them yourself. What kind of waterer do you plan to use? If it is a bowl, dip the chick's beak in the water when you put the chick in the brooder. Almost always once is enough. Once one learns the rest usually learn from them. I don't use nipples so I don't know about them.

For food they usually pretty naturally know to peck at it. For the first couple of days you might put some in a shallow pan and tap it with your finger to show them where it is. Again, they learn from each other.

Thanks for the advice. This morning still no more chicks, but the mama and baby were off the nest, mama was eating food and drinking water. Baby was pecking around, not at the food but at the shavings, and mama pulled the shavings out of its mouth. After a few minutes the mama was back on the nest and the baby chick was under her again. So so far so good right?

 

[Flockincrazy]

So I just checked the eggs and 4 of the 5 left look super dark with an air sac and veins and movement inside. Is the hen unable to raise the chick that has already hatched while she sits on those remaining eggs?
How do chicks hatched in an incubator learn to eat and drink without a mother hen present? I want to give her the chance to raise the chick but also don't feel great about pulling the rest of the eggs when they also seem pretty far developed.

If you dip the one that hatched beak in the water and food it will take care of its self while she sits

 

[Stinkin Cute Chickens]

If you dip the one that hatched beak in the water and food it will take care of its self while she sits

Totally tried this, thanks for the heads up!

 

[Stinkin Cute Chickens]

Oh my goodness! The smell of the mama's HUGE daily poop. The poop is easily twice the size of the chick. Oh my jeez I can't even believe it.

 

[Iluveggers]

Oh the irony of your user name….

 

[Stinkin Cute Chickens]

Oh the irony of your user name….

Haha! Hadn't thought about that. Man they do stink though. They are just so gross but so cute too. I didn't even realize how insightful I was at the time.

 

[Stinkin Cute Chickens]

Chick number 2 is out and seems to be doing well! She was sitting on the eggs with both babies when I checked on her this morning. Chick number 1 has been seen eating and drinking So proud of this mama silkie.

 

[629864]

Omigosh those little balls of fluff are so sweet!