Hatching Questions

[FFAChickenFan]

You might consider making an incubator, if she leaves eggs on the nest that look like they could be hatched.

Here is one that a lot of people have had success with, and its relatively cheap http://www.stormthecastle.com/how-to-make-a/how-to-make-a-homemade-egg-incubator.htm

 

[chickeneer45]

yay! there is another chick! that makes two, but no signs of pipping in the rest I will check again this afternoon, the two babies are completely dry and running around. I bought a pizza container and filled it with water and rocks and I sprinkled the coop with chick starter. I am locking her in today while I am gone so as she will not be disturbed. Fingers crossed some more hatch....!!!

 

[Sonja73]

Yay!!! I am watching to see how you do, lol. I am excited for you.

 

[chickeneer45]

Yay! There is a third chick! I am hoping for one more! I just want four!!

 

[chickeneer45]

I will check for babies again in the morning

 

[FFAChickenFan]

See? Wait and watch! I'm sure your hatch will be successful, it sounds like you're on a streak!

Glad to hear you're starting to get good results! I'd love to see some pictures of the babies when they start moving around

 

[chickeneer45]

It seems like there is a new one every twelve hours or so. I am a bit worried about the first chick dying of thirst... I put the water basin in front of the momma but as far as I can tell, the chick doesnt know that there is water there. Tonorrow I guess I will try to show the chick the water tomorrow but I dont really know how I am going to go about it.

 

[bobbi-j]

Here's my advice - leave them alone. Get a waterer that's safe for baby chicks (plastic, 1-gal. with a screw-on bottom), put it in the coop. Get chick starter. Have it in a feeder for them, and then let them be. The mama will leave the nest after a certain amount of time when she feels they've all hatched. You may then incubate the rest. The hen will show them food and water. She will keep them warm, and if you don't separate them from the other hens, she will protect them. Chickens have been reproducing for centuries without human intervention. How do you think they managed all these years?

Believe me, I know how hard it is, because I've got one hatching out right now, too. She started with 13 eggs - sat nicely for 17 days, and then I found her between the two coops I have in my shed, unable to get back to her nest. I opened the door, she went right back on and has been sitting ever since. I have been anxiously waiting to find out of any of her eggs hatched since they were cool to the touch when I found them. I'm sure she has one because I heard something stirring under her, but don't know if there are more. I'd like a glass-bottomed nest box to be able to see what's going on! I'm going to leave this hen alone tonight and check tomorrow before work. DH will keep an eye on things while I'm gone and if she leaves the nest box, he'll take the babies out and put them on the floor with her for her to take care of.

 

[FFAChickenFan]

I agree completely with pippi-j. They have great advice- just let nature take its course! I know its hard, but its for the best.

 

[chickeneer45]

I checked again this morning and there are still three. They are up and moving around. I enclosed the coop for the day and they were eating the pile of starter in the coop. I still don't see more pips, but I will find out tonight I guess! Fingers crossed for four!