Help!

[wichicks]

Hi- We have a bantam hen that is sitting on six eggs. We didn't think anything was in them, but when we candled them they do have chicks in them. We have no idea how long she has been sitting on them, and have no idea what to do once they hatch. Should we take them away right away? Will the other hens attack them? Will she take care of them? My kids are in 4-H and know how to raise chicks from the point of buying them at the feed mill. Also- there are a couple under her that are not hers and I'm not sure if another hen pushed them under her or not. How long should we wait after the first ones start hatching before we should take the unhatched eggs away? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Higins00]

Can you tell what stage the eggs are at? Do they have veins or are they dark with a air sack? If she sat on the eggs at the same time all the eggs will hatch together weather or not they were laid days apart. It's up to you if you want to keep them or not, why not see what happens. The other chickens won't bother the eggs and if they hatch the mother will protect them. Might be fun!

 

[babsbag]

I can't help much about what to do with the chicks once they are hatched as I put mine and the hen in a cage. That is because my chickens free range and I don't want the chicks out with the goats yet. But I can tell you that the first egg hatched on Monday and the last one didn't hatch until Thursday night. There were 5 eggs, and it was about 1 a day for 4 days. They were not all hers and had been placed under her in a 3 day span. I candled the last 2 eggs three times thinking they must be dead, but they were still wiggling. I wouldn't take the eggs away until she decides that she is done, and then I would candle the last eggs and stick them in an incubator if you have one. Both of my broodies pushed the last egg out of the nest and I hatched them out in my incubator.

Have fun, they are so cute with their mommy.