Help pls..has she given up?

[kimntep]

6 of 10 eggs have hatched from Friday night to this morning and I was going to wait 2 more days, but Mary hasn't gone back to them for a couple of hours now, only taking care of the 6 babies. Do I assume that she's done trying with the other 4? Should I candle or is the fact that she seems disinterested now a sign that she knows they aren't viable?? Very new at this!

 

[M.sue]

I'm not sure what to tell ya. Maybe place to 4eggs in the bunch that have hatched? Hopefully someone with expertise will reply. Good luck!

 

[Judy]

They will abandon viable eggs to care for chicks. It may be possible to hatch one or two more and add them to her bunch at night. I think people have even done this with a heating pad and wet towel, or similar makeshift incubator. I never have -- you might want to hunt around in the Incubating and Hatching Eggs forum.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Never doubt mother nature.
If you have the means to incubate - even with some makeshift device - I'd put the eggs in there.
If she really has abandoned the rest of they eggs they don't stand a chance and maybe they wouldn't have hatched anyway.

 

[artsyrobin]

post on this thread- they might have some idea for you
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=7424678#p7424678
its the broody thread- it might be possible to put them under a heat lamp, misting them

 

[bock]

I would candle and see what's going on. Some people recommend taking the chicks that have already hatched, and putting her back on the nest. I don't know how well that would work though, considering she has already left the nest. Do you have an incubator? You might also be able to use a heating pad if you had to.

I hope everything works out. P.S. The ones that have hatched are adorable.

 

[kimntep]

She hasn't exactly left the nest as she, the eggs and the new babies are all in a small hutch together, but she doesn't seem to be going back to sit on the last 4 like she still was earlier in the day. They are small eggs from my youngest two girls, so maybe they just aren't viable?? But I don't want to give up too early, either! Going out now to check again. It's been two more hours.

 

[kimntep]

Did the water test and one is definitely moving around..candling confirmed the other 3 unfertilized. I've made a homemade bator and have no idea what to do now!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
I've never done this and it might not work but better than nothing, put the egg in the warmest place in the house in a nest of sorts that you make yourself or use some of bedding from the original nest doesn't matter, put a light that will give enough warnth to make it around 100 * then spray warm water over the egg every 30mins. making sure to keep a warm wash cloth or something over the egg to keep it moist for humidity, after egg hatch you'll be able to put chick with mama, I did this with duck eggs when mama decided to stay over night at the river several years ago. I had to keep the eggs misted and warm till she came back the next day. Hopefully someone else can help you more this is just what i did. you just want to make sure when the egg starts to pip that the membrane doesn't dry out and shrink wrap the chick in the shell. The reason for the warm moist wash cloth or papaer towels. Wishing you all the best..

 

[pontoosuc]

Sounds like a good idea. Hope it works out for you.