First time hatch - what happens next?

[saranbensmom]

Thanks, Panner123 - I learned that the hard way. I ordered a lot of eggs and my game hens went AWOL...well, one that I thought was a loss wasn't -- she was just setting and now has 9 chicks. 2 refused to set - they had hatched a clutch earlier and I guess decided they were done for the season. The 4th started setting a clutch while I was shopping for eggs...I have a hard time noticing my games are astray, as they are free range and look so much alike. I have several times gone looking for them only to find out they were there the whole time and I only thought I was looking at the same one again and again. I was kind in dire straits as to what to do - so I decided to take the hens eggs....I reallly wanted some of my bought eggs under her. I don't trust my bators yet. I tried hatching with a bator last year and didn't hatch a thing, so I got the game hens. Because of this situation, I had to buy another bator, too. Learning the hard way about some stuff, including managing my game hens.

I know - TMI

 

[chilling in muscadine]

I have 5 hen's collecting a clutch right now. They haven't hatched any since June. Guess it's been to hot. Get a second bator for the last three day's is a must when staggering hatche's. Your clean up problem will be solved then and better for your egg's due later. Good luck. PEACE

 

[saranbensmom]

Well, of 10 eggs that I stole from under the game hen, the first hatched but died, one died a while back (maybe during the switch

) and we now have 8 adorable chicks! Some are 5 toed, some are not and one has 5 toes on one foot and 4 on the other!! I will post pics soon....thanks to y'all for all your help!