Feeding Chicks While Waiting on Eggs to Hatch

[STEMteacher_chickenmama]

Our school has two newly hatched chicks but we’re still waiting on 3 others. How do I provide water and food for the new chicks without removing them from mama in the nest. Mama will not sit on her eggs when they’re in a crate on the ground. I tried that. She will only sit in her elevated nest. Should I remove the chicks and put them indoors with access to food and water until the remaining eggs hatch?

 

[sourland]

Should I remove the chicks and put them indoors with access to food and water until the remaining eggs hatch?

This is what I might do, but understand she may still break broodiness and leave the nest searching for her chicks. Were all eggs started at the same time? If so the remaining 3 may not be viable. Good luck.

 

[Melontine]

How long has it been since they hatched? When first hatched, a chick's belly is full of yolk. They can survive on this just fine for a couple of days before eating and drinking.

 

[STEMteacher_chickenmama]

How long has it been since they hatched? When first hatched, a chick's belly is full of yolk. They can survive on this just fine for a couple of days before eating and drinking.

2 days for the first chick and 1 day for the second one.

 

[STEMteacher_chickenmama]

This is what I might do, but understand she may still break broodiness and leave the nest searching for her chicks. Were all eggs started at the same time? If so the remaining 3 may not be viable. Good luck.

They were not. The first three were a day apart for each. The second set of 3 were a couple days from that because the hen took them from the nest next to hers before I knew to label them.

 

[sourland]

I would definitely move the chicks and reintroduce them when the remaining eggs hatch.