hatching chicks using broody hen

[Jbusch]

hey guys, we are hatching eggs by one of our broody hens. It's a staggered hatch since they were all put under her at a different time so they are all going to hatch at different times. I was wondering if it is okay for the mama to eat the chick feed. Also should i just keep the chicks in there with her or do i have to move them into a brooder to keep them warm? I was also wondering if an unfertilized egg rots, could it kill or make the chicks sick? We have one unfertilized egg in there and I'm not sure which one it is.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

She can eat chick feed since she won't be laying eggs and won't need the calcium.

As for the staggered hatch, it's not going to end well. She'll get off the nest part way through hatching and leave the unhatched eggs

 

[Jbusch]

She can eat chick feed since she won't be laying eggs and won't need the calcium.

As for the staggered hatch, it's not going to end well. She'll get off the nest part way through hatching and leave the unhatched eggs

we have an incubator in case that happens