Hatching Questions

[Sonja73]

I know it will drive you nuts, but the best thing is to leave her alone. lol. I have hatched many chicks over the years by both incubators and broody hens and to this day it still drives me crazy! I feel like getting pom poms out and cheering them on, lol. Think of it this way, eggs need heat, moisture and air. Every time you peek, you are making the mixture imbalanced. If you can make it another 8-12 hours, that would be best. Don't worry, they will be fine. As long as the chicks do not go more than two days without feed/water.

 

[chickeneer45]

I think I am going to die...

 

[Sonja73]

Patience, it will all be over soon.....

 

[chickeneer45]

Also, will the chick know that the basin I put in with them is full of water? I am particularly worried about this that she won't know that there is water there. Is there anything I can do about this? I put the basin in front of the momma hen but so far I haven't seen the chick move out from underneath the momma yet. Also I am a bit worried since I usually hear people talking about their babies chicks chirping constantly and I have not heard one chirp yet. Is this a problem? Thanks.

 

[FFAChickenFan]

The chick can go for up to three days without food or water. When the chick starts to walk around with the mother, gently dip their beak in the water so they know its there.

Dont be worried if you dont see a lot of action right now. The baby is VERY tired from hatching, and they often rest for 8+ hours before they really get around to doing anything. I know its hard to not be curious and nervous, but mother hens are pretty smart, and nature will most likely take care of itself

 

[chickeneer45]

Thank you so much! I will post again with more questions if I have any and I am sure I will.

 

[chickeneer45]

I checked again under her and there is still only one chick. As far as I could see, I only saw one egg with a slight crack on the top which is maybe a pip. The one chick is completely dry and moving around and yet no others have hatched. Momma hen is still brooding... should I continue to wait it out? Its been at least eight hours since the first baby hatched. The baby could have born sometime yesterday as well since I wasn't home but I do not know.

 

[FFAChickenFan]

Yes. Continue to wait.

 

[ChickieG'ma]

Yes, what FFAC said. Most likely momma will take whatever chicks have hatched out for food and water when it is time. And another good thing about broody hatching is SHE will show the chicks everything they need to know about eating and drinking. At first my broody hatched chicks would not eat or drink anything that wasn't given to or showed to them by momma. All you have to do is set up the water safely (as mentioned in another post with marbles or stones in to prevent drowning) and a feeder with chick starter in it. Momma knows what they need. She will do the "food cluck" to show them the food and water and they will even take pieces of food out of her mouth when offered. So cute!

Eventually she will begin showing them other things that are acceptable to eat. That is really fun to watch. Enjoy it cause it's really a hoot to watch. Careful though, you may not get anything else done until they are grown.

 

[chickeneer45]

Also I have been wondering about the unhatchedd eggs that the hen may leave behind once she is ready to get up and stop brooding. Buying an incubator is sadly not an option, but a heat lamp however has been mentioned several times. When would I use a heatlamp? Could I put some eggs under it especially if they have pipped? Basically I am just wondering what the uses of a heat lamp are since buying one is a possibility. Thanks again!