First time grandma

[mamma buttercup]

My little pekin has hatched out three wonderful little chicks from five eggs she was sitting on. It's been twelve hours plus since the last hatch and the remaining two eggs are not cracking or cheeping but mamma won't leave them. Will they still hatch? How long should I leave them for? The chicks hatched on day 22 and 23...... It's amazing but terrifying as well as I don't want to mess up! Chicks are eating but not seen them drink? Will post some pictures too.

 

[mamma buttercup]

 

[mamma buttercup]

 

[mamma buttercup]

Also any ideas on what colours they will be folks?

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Very cute

I'd check those last 2 eggs for signs of life. Either take them into a dark room and candle them or put them up to your ear and tap with your fingernail (or both). They should cheep when you tap them.

Is it possible the eggs were laid in her nest later than the others? Did she kick any out to cool? Both scenarios would explain why they're late.

Anyway, if you find they're still good, put food and water close to the nest and let her finish cooking them. If the eggs are bad, pitch them so the hen can concentrate on her babies.

Those adorable chickies look black to me. Maybe dark blue. They're hard to tall apart when they're small. Good luck!

 

[five is my dog]

since your chicks hatched a bit late i would say the others might not hatch.

. but don't give up too soon let her sit on them for another day or so but if they haven't hatched by day 25 they are pretty much gone i would say. they might not have been fertilized. she might leave them by day 25 but if it's only been around 12 hours there could still be hope. normally a broody hen will leave her unhatched eggs to care for the already hatched babys. If she won't get off within a few days i would sneak in at night and remove the eggs. she still might peck so i would wear gloves. she will probably leave the nest and start teaching her hatched babys. some times larger chicken breeds or larger eggs might take a little more time. for right now i would leave her alone until day 25 if she still is insisting on seting let her go one more day then at night take the eggs it's not good for baby chicks to spend their first days in a cooped up nest. what breed of chickens are the unhatched eggs they might take a little longer to develope 21 days is just the average. Good luck hope they hatch !!!!

 

[mamma buttercup]

Thanks guys, they are Pekin Bantams. Tried candling and couldn't really see anything! Will try the tapping but there is no cheeping like with the others when mamma called. She is the sweetest natured little girl and will let me pick her up and move her whenever, no pecking or getting mad like I've heard of.
The eggs were from a farm as we don't have a rooster here but they were from two hens, I picked them myself. Can't remember fully but think I took three from each hen - unfortunately dropped one trying to get them under my broody!
How can you tell if they are drinking as not seen them? Tried to show them but they didn't drink, not sure if mamma has and it's pretty hot. I moved them all into a big box in my laundry room as was afraid of the other girls hurting the chicks, one was getting pretty interested and mamma wouldn't leave the eggs.

 

[five is my dog]

Try putting sugar in the water that will make it get them to be a little more energetic and will taste good to them. It will also help mama gain back the weight she lost while brooding.