first egg pipping!

[vtsarahb]

We let our broody welsummer sit on a few fertile eggs- today is day 21 and one of them is starting to pip! Think we're gonna move it into the brooder to hatch, since mom doesn't seem to be interested in setting anymore. This is our first hatch ever, wish us luck!!!

 

[elmo]

Good luck! That is exciting!

If your hen is done setting, you can brood the hatched chick or chicks yourself today, but slip them under her when she settles down tonight. That's what we had to do for one of ours that was left behind in the nest before it was dry and when it was really to young to follow the hen. In the morning, though, it was fine.

You will need to watch the hen to make sure her mothering instincts kick in, though.

 

[vtsarahb]

The chick is out! He/she was having trouble so I had to help a bit... now it just needs to dry off! yay! This is the first chick I've hatched- cross your fingers for me that this little one makes it!!