HELP - hatch going wrong

[MarionCraig]

Hi My broody hen was due to hatch eggs on 48 hours ago. So far one chick has died in the shell - it was zipped. one chick hatched but mother just left it - I put it under mother and this morning dead. Could still hear some peeping faintly from other shells. Checked one shell to see if I could help it pip but that didn't work. Experienced gamekeeper thinks eggs have dried and hen hasn't managed to keep a consistent temperature so hence uneven hatch. I've checked the 5 eggs left - peeing in two of them and tapping from two - one ominously silent. I have dampened eggs and hen back on them. Gamekeeper friend says I should go in and start them off as chicks will soon get exhausted of they can't get through a dry membrane. So confused as to what I should do

 

[GitaBooks]

I agree, you should help them if you hear tapping. Carefully pick away a bit of shell (try not to break the membrane as it will likely bleed). The chick will then have an easier time breaking out on its own. You may want to put some fake eggs under momma and put these in an incubator. If the chicks hatch and dry, strong and healthy, you can slip them back under her.

Feel free to ask any other questions.

Best of luck!

 

[kuchchicks]

X2. I would help. Tweezers work well with a moist q tip. Go SLOW! if any bleeding stop and wait.

 

[MarionCraig]

Thanks for you replies

Update: Of the 5 eggs left. Helped three chicks out this morning. Two lively one not so. two eggs had chicks dead in shell. Weak chick didn't make it. The egg membrane was like thin plastic so obviously they had dried out far too much.

two chicks and mum now in separate coop. My next dilemma is when and where to feed them. I plan to put water and crumb in two shallow dishes in the box with them? There is space in the box - I then thought I'd put a small feeder and water dispenser in the main part of the coop tomorrow morning.

I've kept the coop door shut as I don't want mum to get distracted from her duties before chicks are moving around better?

Here's hoping......

 

[GitaBooks]

Sorry about the chicks you lost, but congrats on those doing well!

Water should probably be in a jar type waterer, since chicks can catch a chill or drown easily at this young an age. The mother probably won't get distracted, but she may try to get them to go outside too quickly and the chicks get trapped somewhere or other chickens go after them, so it is wise to keep them locked up a couple days, until they get steady on their feet.

Best of luck!