Help, different egg embryo ages.

[CherriesBrood]

Hi, I have a broody hen who is currently sitting on two eggs, they have been candled and both are alive, however one is a week older than the other. I know that broody hens will no longer sit on the eggs after a couple days of the first chick hatching, but I would like for her to raise both chicks. I’m at a loss in what to do, any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Remove and artificially brood the first chick at hatch, re-introducing as soon as the second hatches. The reverse, artificially hatching chick 2 and introducing to mom and chick 1 after hatch, has a much lower chance of success. Either wsy, be prepared to brood if mom rejects one or both

 

[CherriesBrood]

Remove and artificially brood the first chick at hatch, re-introducing as soon as the second hatches. The reverse, artificially hatching chick 2 and introducing to mom and chick 1 after hatch, has a much lower chance of success. Either wsy, be prepared to brood if mom rejects one or both

Thank you for the reply.
She has hatched one chick before and did excellent with it. Do you think with the age gap of the chicks it will be to old to reintroduce at the time?

 

[bobbi-j]

Thank you for the reply.
She has hatched one chick before and did excellent with it. Do you think with the age gap of the chicks it will be to old to reintroduce at the time?

It's possible.

 

[CherriesBrood]

This is only my second time having a broody hatch chicks, the first time went really well with three Broodies getting they’re own chicks.
Right now this hen is the only broody I have, and I’d hate to have to raise a chick on its own.
Does anyone know how I can raise the chances of her accepting both chicks?

 

[bobbi-j]

This is only my second time having a broody hatch chicks, the first time went really well with three Broodies getting they’re own chicks.
Right now this hen is the only broody I have, and I’d hate to have to raise a chick on its own.
Does anyone know how I can raise the chances of her accepting both chicks?

In my opinion, but it's only my opinion and not my experience - I'd leave the first one to hatch with the hen so it bonds with her, and artificially incubate the other one. I think the younger the chick when you graft it onto the hen, the better chance of her taking it. But - she may not accept it since she's only had the one for a week. I don't know - it will be sticky no matter how you try it. For future reference, you might want to make sure your broody sits on eggs that are all set under her at the same time, removing any "donations" from other hens. Another option here, is to just take away one of the eggs and have her hatch the other one.

 

[CherriesBrood]

In my opinion, but it's only my opinion and not my experience - I'd leave the first one to hatch with the hen so it bonds with her, and artificially incubate the other one. I think the younger the chick when you graft it onto the hen, the better chance of her taking it. But - she may not accept it since she's only had the one for a week. I don't know - it will be sticky no matter how you try it. For future reference, you might want to make sure your broody sits on eggs that are all set under her at the same time, removing any "donations" from other hens. Another option here, is to just take away one of the eggs and have her hatch the other one.

Thanks, yeah it’s definitely a sticky situation. And noted, never having different ages under a broody again.
Do you think it would work if I incubated the younger egg until it pips and then quickly slipped it under her at night with her other baby before it hatches???

 

[bobbi-j]

Thanks, yeah it’s definitely a sticky situation. And noted, never having different ages under a broody again.
Do you think it would work if I incubated the younger egg until it pips and then quickly slipped it under her at night with her other baby before it hatches???

The only way to know would be to give it a try... There are no guarantees when you have a staggered hatch. (Really, there are no guarantees ever, but this is a more complicated situation.)

 

[CherriesBrood]

The only way to know would be to give it a try... There are no guarantees when you have a staggered hatch. (Really, there are no guarantees ever, but this is a more complicated situation.)

Agreed, I’ve never been in a situation like this before. Thanks for your help.

 

[bobbi-j]

Good luck - I hope it all works out for you.