hatching eggs

[Chicken Goujon]

Hi,
I have a first time broody bantam hen Lemon,she has sat on 3 eggs but 2 fell out the nest because the nest box is hanging up on wall and broody has been disturbed by other hens. I have moved the broody hen and put some more eggs under her. But,now I think it wasn't a good decision,because Lemon sat on first eggs already a week. So the only one egg would hatch roughly one week earlier. Whould this work,would a broody hen look after one hatched chick and still sitting on other 4 eggs for another week. What shall I do, anybody, know what it's best? Thanks!
xAndrea

 

[sylviethecochin]

You can usually remove the first chick as soon as it hatches and put it back under her while the others are hatching. I would bring her water, probably food as well, during at least the second lockdown, because two in a week will not be good for her.

 

[Chicken Goujon]

Thank you,but if I take the first chick away from the hen,would she take the chick back after a week ? I guess that I would need a special heating lamp to keep chick warm! I'm also working and couldn't look after the chick the whole day. I'm probably better to remove the first egg and not waiting until it has hatched.

 

[sylviethecochin]

would she take the chick back after a week ?

Yes, as long as you put it back under her while the others are still hatching.

I guess that I would need a special heating lamp to keep chick warm!

or a heating pad, yes.

I'm also working and couldn't look after the chick the whole day.

You don't need to. A chick would be fine in a box with heat, food and water. Maybe a mirror, if it has no buddies.

I'm probably better to remove the first egg and not waiting until it has hatched.

That would be a good solution as well.

 

[Chicken Goujon]

Thank you for your help!
xAndrea