- Feb 25, 2013
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On Saturday (day 20) I had 3 perfect little chicks hatch out, and was excited to have more.
Then, Sunday, I found 3 eggs started zipping but weren't able to finish before getting stuck and dying (we live in the desert) or stepped on by the hen before they could push the egg off.
Today, Monday, #7 was desiccated/ crushed and #8 had a hole and some movement. While checking the hole, it started bleeding and I immediately put it under the broody. Hours later, I went to check and found the broken and drying out egg pulsing underneath her, so I made a bigger hole in the shell and put it back under the broody. 2 hours later, the chick has hatched and is wet, and looks like it has severely curled toes, but it's alive.
The high is 100 degrees today and my broody has 3 - 2 day olds and a brand new chick that can't really move/ and is sleeping all the time to worry about.
What do I do with the runt? I'm not sure if I need to separate the just hatched chick or if she will get her bearings quickly and before the hen does anything crazy/ stupid.
I could do something for a couple days, but I don't want to commit for 6 weeks for one chick, that may have a hard time reintegrating.
Any ideas?
Then, Sunday, I found 3 eggs started zipping but weren't able to finish before getting stuck and dying (we live in the desert) or stepped on by the hen before they could push the egg off.
Today, Monday, #7 was desiccated/ crushed and #8 had a hole and some movement. While checking the hole, it started bleeding and I immediately put it under the broody. Hours later, I went to check and found the broken and drying out egg pulsing underneath her, so I made a bigger hole in the shell and put it back under the broody. 2 hours later, the chick has hatched and is wet, and looks like it has severely curled toes, but it's alive.
The high is 100 degrees today and my broody has 3 - 2 day olds and a brand new chick that can't really move/ and is sleeping all the time to worry about.
What do I do with the runt? I'm not sure if I need to separate the just hatched chick or if she will get her bearings quickly and before the hen does anything crazy/ stupid.
I could do something for a couple days, but I don't want to commit for 6 weeks for one chick, that may have a hard time reintegrating.
Any ideas?