Hey all, Yes,it's my first time hatching chicks,though I've raised them for quite awhile. I started with 5 eggs,and ended up with 3. My hen Scarlet attacked one (after which I fenced off the broody) and one was infertile and rotted. I have my Silkie hen Rosey brooding them,so already on the right track with a hen I know is a good mother,seeing as I got her with a chick who is now almost a year old rooster. The situation here is that one of the 3 has already pipped just today.There's a little hole in the egg,I can see a bit of wet feather and the beak,the baby is peeping. The time isn't wrong or anything,it's been long enough for this to happen and I know Rosey knows what she's doing,my only question is about the temp outside. I live in Massachusetts and the nights have gotten to about 40 or a bit below already. Is it too cold to leave Rosey and the eggs out there? I'm worried that the one trying to hatch will die in the cold,but I don't want to risk adding stress to either mama or baby. So far I've left them all be,but I don't want to be heartbroken in the morning. Does anyone have any advice? Thank you in advance!!!
As long as Rosey stays on the eggs, they will be fine. Chickens have survived for thousands of years without human intervention. If, after another day, it is still peeping, but has made no progress... then get back on here and we can talk. If she is a very calm girl, and has been in the house before, and if you are REALLY worried, I would bring her inside the spare bathtub, or garage... but if she is not comfortable, you will be asking for trouble. Just leave her be for now, she should have enough experience to stick tight to the nest and be a good mama. Good luck!
