Hen abandoning eggs after one chick hatches early

[SilkieRaine]

My broody hen has been sitting on 12 eggs perfectly, until one hatched a couple of days early... They are finally due to hatch today but mother hen hasn't been sitting on them this morning because she's wandering around with her chick instead. I decided to take the chick away and she is now sitting in the eggs again but I'm feeling guilty. Am I doing the right thing? The poor little chick is crying for his mum but I don't want the other 11 eggs to die either.

 

[AlleysChicks]

Put a mirror in with the chick. Once all the other eggs hatch return the chick.

 

[chuckachucka]

You are doing the right thing. If most of them had hatched and you were waiting for a coupleasant of stragglers you might take away the eggs and leave the chicks. With only one hatched it'' more sensible to take away the chick. If you have an incubator on stand by you could finish off the eggs in there if you are especially worried, but the single chick should be fine for a couple of days.

That said a newborn chick may not be crying for its mother. They can get lonely but they cry more for warmth and somewhere cozy to sleep. Where are you keeping the chick? Is the temperature right?

 

[SilkieRaine]

I never thought of using a mirror, thanks. I've given him a stuffed toy to snuggle. Yeah, I'll pop him back with Mum once the others start hatching. Hopefully the rest aren't duds

 

[SilkieRaine]

None of the others have hatched still I tried candling a few last night and some of them look right so I'm not giving up yet. Baby chick has settled down, he's nice and warm, eating, drinking, pooping. I'm considering getting another day old chick so he has a friend.