Hatching Questions

[Sonja73]

Great news! I can't wait for pics! My chocolate orps are hatching out today or tomorrow. UGH!

 

[chickeneer45]

There was a fourth one today! It must have just hatched! It was very dark and small and looked very wet so I hope it is okay, but I assume that it just hatched recently. How many hours does it take for them to dry completely? I am just wondering because I would like to know how old it is (in hours)... Thanks again!

 

[FFAChickenFan]

Well, it depends how hot and humid it is under the hen's bottom! but normally it should only take around.. 8 or so hours?

So glad to hear that everything is going to well!

 

[chickeneer45]

I hope I didn't harm it when I checked under her. I am checking every eight hours or so to make sure everything is going fine. I will post pics by the end of the week. I just want to make sure not to disturb her or any of her eggs yet to hatch. I will check the chick in the morning to make sure its okay! Thanks

 

[Sonja73]

YAY! You got your 4th! How many eggs are left?

 

[chickeneer45]

there is like five or six more but I dont know when they were layed so they probably wont hatch. also though, the first chick hatched saturday morning, and the momma is still sitting on the eggs... is this okay? the babies are drinking water on their own which is about three inches or so away from the momma hen as well as starter that I sprinkled around them. They all look healthy and fine, but I am just wondering when she will stop being broody....

 

[Sonja73]

When she is satisfied there are no longer any hatching chicks under her. Does she still have the "deer in the headlight" look? Is she taking care of her babies? As long as the chicks are healthy I wouldn't worry to much about it. It sounds to me that you have done everything to ensure they are all well taken care of. Good job Grandma! haha

 

[chickeneer45]

these are three of the four chicks!
Pilot is the whitish one on the left
Captain is the yellowish one on the right
And Chief is the darker brown one in the middle

 

[Sonja73]

Aw! So cute! All different colors. Aw. Makes me want to snuggle them. You must be very proud.

 

[chickeneer45]

So proud! It will be interesting to see how long monma hen stays on the eggs because the longer she does, the more eggs that will hatch!