Help! Hen has hatched 5 & abandoned eggs

[DurangoCal]

Our sweet Momma hen hatched four babies yesterday, one today and now has no interest in laying on the last three and is spending all her time with the new chicks. These particular 3 were layed on the 29th (I wrote on the eggs with a sharpie.) The rest of the clutch was laid between the 26th and 28th. Can I hatch these myself by putting them under a lamp??? Help!!! What to do? Oh, and also these three eggs are silent. With the other eggs I could here tapping and chirping once in awhile but that was right before they hatched.

 

[seminolewind]

I would do something.. They are so close to hatch. I would candle them to see if they are alive.

 

[DurangoCal]

I will go out and candle them right now. Today is day 20 so they only have one more day!

 

[seminolewind]

At night, put them back under her. During the day, maybe it's hot enough outside to hatch them, or in your attic.

 

[DurangoCal]

One is a green egg that I can't see through, of the other two one brown one has an air pocket at the top (did this one stop developing I while back), the other one I can't see anything at all. There is a crack in the one with the air bubble. The crack is all along the top and then on the other side there is also a peck mark that looks like the mother pecked it gently from the outside. I have them in my lap now as they are barely lukewarm now. She is not interested at all.

 

[DurangoCal]

Quote:
t's only about 82 degrees so not warm enough to let them stay out right? Maybe putting them under a lap until tonight when I can slip them back under her and hope they hatch in the night?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

If you aren't seeing movement when you candle they most likely aren't alive. The one with the large crack doesn't sound good at all. I would double check them by candling in a closet so you can see better. Hens seem to know when they are done for what ever reason.

 

[DurangoCal]

One is alive for sure it just chirped. I put them in a shoebox with a heat lamp about 6 inches above. Is this too close???

 

[djennings]

Yes try the lamp do you have incubator?

 

[DurangoCal]

Quote:
I don't have an incubator. Is 6 inches away from the lamp too close? My son heard a chirp again. So one at least is alive.