- Jun 4, 2011
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Hello, I have a very confusing situation. I have a mama hen who has been sitting for almost 2 months. She had one chick hatch about 3-4 weeks ago, but continued to get eggs that were at different stages. She was sitting on 5 eggs that we had no idea the stages of. I candled them and could see most were close. So, today 1 of them hatched but she had pecked it to the point it has a fairly deep wound on the side of it's head. It was just born last night as it wasn't there when I put them up and it is all fluffed. I am not sure whether she did this because she already has an older chick and she wasn't accepting the new one as her own or what. I really don't understand that as she has been so dedicated to sitting on the other eggs even after the first, older chick was born.
So, my first question, is of course about the injured chick. What are the chances it will survive with an open wound? And is there anything I can do? I don't know if she continued to peck it or what...when I went out this morning, I saw the cracked egg, then saw the chick under her. I think it was hiding more than anything.
Second, what do I do with the other four eggs, that based on my candling, look to be due to hatch over the next few days. They are going to be spaced out, too, I am afraid and I don't wan the same thing to happen. Is she going to protect the older chick and not accept any new ones each time?
If this is the case, should I move the 4 eggs to another broody hen who is sitting but has no chicks yet. The hen that is sitting on eggs is a good mamma and I think she would accept them.
Any/all advice is appreciated, especially in determining how to care for new chick and prevent future ones from being injured.
Thank you!
So, my first question, is of course about the injured chick. What are the chances it will survive with an open wound? And is there anything I can do? I don't know if she continued to peck it or what...when I went out this morning, I saw the cracked egg, then saw the chick under her. I think it was hiding more than anything.
Second, what do I do with the other four eggs, that based on my candling, look to be due to hatch over the next few days. They are going to be spaced out, too, I am afraid and I don't wan the same thing to happen. Is she going to protect the older chick and not accept any new ones each time?
If this is the case, should I move the 4 eggs to another broody hen who is sitting but has no chicks yet. The hen that is sitting on eggs is a good mamma and I think she would accept them.
Any/all advice is appreciated, especially in determining how to care for new chick and prevent future ones from being injured.
Thank you!
