First time hatch

[RnMsChickens]

We had our first chicks hatch today to our Barred Rock hen, our first time having a brooder succeed. Being inexperienced with the whole process, we did not separate her from the flock and after two weeks noticed that she was getting pushed off the nest so the other hens could lay. I built a run around her that was about 2' by 10' on the back wall with wire above her and kept water and food available. She had moved all 5 chicks off the nest, and after over three hours off the nest I noticed that there was a chick that had died at the bottom of the nest. My wife and I decided to remove the remaining eggs and the dead chick. After removing the eggs I noticed that two had what appeared to be signs of chicks that tried to hatch. I proceeded to examine the eggs and I popped off the 1/4" piece of shell that had been pecked loose, and the chicks mouth opened. We immediately set up our bin and heat lamp that we had just put up from some day old chicks that have been moved out to our small coop and run. The chick hatched and is doing fine. My question is now that it has been 5 hours after hatching and about 12 or more hours after the first five hatched can this one be reintroduced to the hen or should we try to hand raise it?

 

[ginbart]

From everything I have read here if you put it under her after it is dark it should be ok.

 

[RnMsChickens]

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I have been think about that myself as well. We are very excited about this one as it is a cross between our very large BR Roo and our large EE hen and is a very nice silvery grey with what appears to be yellow spot on head chest and wing tips. The other five are all BR chicks. We are also thinking about getting a companion chick tomorrow from a local farm store as well.

Thank you.

 

[ginbart]

I don't know if you should only get one from the store.

maybe you better get more.

I know here we have to buy 6, they won't let you get any less. It's so much fun watching them grow.

Can you take a picture and put it on here for us to see?

Well I need to get to bed 6:00 comes to fast for me.

 

[RnMsChickens]

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I would but we just put 3 speckled sussex, 2 golden laced wyandottes, and 5 silver laced wyandottes 6 week old's out into the smaller coop. We already had 4 2year old EE hens and 1 BR roo and 3 BR hens that are 1 year olds. slowly getting the flock going.

I have to agree they are fun to watch.

Good Night.

 

[RnMsChickens]

Here is our little survivor. We did not put her (Not sure of sex but my wife and I refer to the chick as a her) with the hen and the other chicks last night, as she still was not walking very well and is just now walking short distances. I think she is just going to be a little bit of a late bloomer, but she has lots of determination.

 

[ginbart]

SHE is very cute. Did you go and get more? Tell your wife I said congrads.

 

[PECULIARPETE]

We got our first hatch this weekend. Whoo hoo! I have a tendency to turn everything into science projects. So after seeing some homemade incubators I just had to have one. 23 days later we gots peeps way to cool huh. All the little guys are doing well in their new brooder I made for em yesterday. Now what? They`re drinkin water n eatin the chick starter. the medicated starter is ok? Is there anything else to give em?

 

[RnMsChickens]

So we got the chukar, they bonded at first.

Then Silver, as we have named the chick, got better and started to peck at the chukar, so we put her out tonight under the hen. That went great! So now we are off tomorrow morning to get more chukars.

 

[RnMsChickens]

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The only thing I could say is electrolytes in the water. We were told that when we got our first chicks, but have only done it with the first set and have not noticed any difference between those and the ones we have raised sense.

Congratulations!