/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

Hatching emergency

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by Amp, Aug 27, 2016.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Aug 27, 2016 #1
    Amp

    Amp Out Of The Brooder

    69
    1
    43
    May 20, 2011
    Alabama
    I have a hen that was sitting on 5 eggs. Today is day 21 but 1 hatched yesterday morning. She has been getting off the next today with that one. One egg started hatching this morning and when I went back to check on it, she had been pecking at it and it was covered in blood and died. There are 3 eggs left that haven't started hatching yet and I'm wondering if I should do anything. Should I remove the one chick that's hatched so maybe she will stay on the other 3. Should I take the 3 eggs away as soon as they start and put them under a heat lamp?
     
  3. Aug 27, 2016 #2
    RubyNala97

    RubyNala97 Overrun With Chickens

    4,410
    662
    291
    Apr 9, 2015
    Hudson Valley, NY
    That's a tough call and I'm no expert when it comes to broodies. How is the chick doing that hatched? Usually my hens sits on the chicks for a few days after hatch before getting up and wandering around with them. Is the chick keeping up with her? Have you candled the eggs to see if they are alive? Can you borrow an incubator from anyone? I would try to save the eggs if I could. I don't really think that removing the chick will make her hatch out the rest, but I could be wrong. If you can keep the eggs warm, around 99 degrees and they will need humidity for hatching. :fl
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by