Hatching help

[nhorrin]

I have a hen setting on 12 eggs. She is in a 3' by 4' box with a 15" by 15" nest located in my garage. Today is Friday @ 7:00 PM and the temperature is about 70 degrees and expected to get in the low 40's tonight. The exact 21 days is tomorrow, Saturday @ mid afternoon. I see 2 chicks that hatched, one was right next to the hen and the other was about 18" away from her. I picked up the chick that was away from the hen and placed it next to her. The other chick I now think is back under the hen.

Questions: Should I place a heat lamp over the box? When brooding chicks from the hatchery I always start them on paper. Should I put paper over the shavings? There is chick starter and water in the box. Should I introduce the chicks to food and water or let the hen do this? How long should it take to hatch all chicks? Final question. Should I be doing anything or should I just let the hen do her thing?

P.S. The chick that was away from the hen was spread out flat on the shaving. When I picked it up it chirped and seemed very strong in its movement.

Thanks!

 

[countrygoddess]

My inclination would be to let her do her thing. I'm not sure I would put a lamp out, either. One of my neighbor's hens disappeared last spring for a month. When she came back, she had 13 chicks with her. I'm sure the temps dropped low at night and a few newly hatched chicks wandered from her, but she took good care of them and they all thrived. =)

 

[JanO]

I'd let her do her thing also. If you put a heat lamp out it will just make the hen too warm and uncomfortable. The chicks will be warm enough with her.