Hatching Under a Broody Hen

[stephcraig78]

I totally agree. I have six children and something as simple as a chicken hatching an egg seems like a small miracle to me still. We have become so “advanced” that we think we need to help them or intervene in some way but this proves that nature knows what to do. All on its own. I was so sure I needed to help her stay warm or keep eggs warm but i know she would of been fine out in her pen without anything from me. Absolutely amazing. Can’t wait to see the little darlings!!

 

[stephcraig78]

Well I must admit I’m a bit disappointed this morning. The one that started last night is out and dry and cute as can be. Nothing else though. Guessing today I may hear some more peeps.

 

[song of joy]

Well I must admit I’m a bit disappointed this morning. The one that started last night is out and dry and cute as can be. Nothing else though. Guessing today I may hear some more peeps.

Considering the eggs did not all start incubating at the same time, you may want to read up on how to deal with a staggered hatch. This may become an issue if all of the eggs have not hatched out within the next 2 or 3 days.

 

[stephcraig78]

Ok yeah I was thinking about that too. I’ll do some reading real quick and try to be patient. The one from last night is doing great. Out moving around already and seems very alert and healthy. Here’s a snap shot we caught when it was exploring.

 

[aart]

Well I must admit I’m a bit disappointed this morning. The one that started last night is out and dry and cute as can be. Nothing else though. Guessing today I may hear some more peeps.

It's hard enough to wait for incubator chicks, where you can see them...
.....waiting for broody chicks is harder....hands off!

 

[stephcraig78]

Right!! Very hard to just sit and wait. Not knowing what’s going on under all those feathers. I was so thrilled the one that hatched was out moving around and I could see it. I’m sure there will be more today or tonight. There was a second peeping late last night so I would think it should be out soon.

 

[stephcraig78]

So we have 2 out and looked like 3 more pipped. Mamma is doing very good with it all. She doesn’t care at all if I lift her feathers and peek underneath. I know everyone says to leave her and babies alone. And I do but I check about 3-4 times a day just by gently raising her tail feathers where the majority of the eggs are. The dry baby stays under her wing so I don’t bother it. I am completely amazed and thrilled with how great a mom she is at barely 8 months old!! Gonna make a great hen I think.

 

[stephcraig78]

Question: I read about staggered hatching and when to assist an egg that hasn’t zipped on its own. We have one that looks like this. We can see the membrane is very dry over its face but it isn’t zipping correctly. Just making one big hole basically. Is this ok?

 

[stephcraig78]

Never mind it did it on its own. Now have 4 our and drying. 5 still with no pip.

 

[stephcraig78]

4 hatched and dry. Doing great. One more pipped. The other 4 are waiting still. No sign of pipping yet. But still confident they will soon