Hen hatched out two chicks, abandoned the rest, I hatched out two more...

[KahKaDoodleDo22]

Hi

My hens first hatch, she had two successful babies and one died, then she abandoned the rest of the eggs, I have had two more hatch out under a lamp. They’re 12 hours old. The other two chicks are almost 3 days old now. Would it be dumb of me to try to put the new hatchlings under her tonight?

 

[JaeG]

I'd give it a go.

Wait until it's dark and let her hear them peeping if you can before you put them under her - she should start quietly clucking to them. If she's happy about the arrangement she may help you tuck them under her. Wait awhile once they are under her to ensure everyone is happy and none of the chicks pop out and wander off in the dark. Then first thing in the morning check on them to make sure she's still happy and everyone is still together.

Being that it was her first time she may have been a bit overwhelmed, but now that her hormones are starting to settle into mother mode hopefully she'll accept a few more chicks.

 

[50-45-1]

No, it's not to late. Put them under her at night.
Was your hen in a brooding situation where other hens were laying fresh eggs in her clutch? If so the remaining eggs could be a various stages of development and due to hatch over a couple weeks. There is no way a hen can possibly hatch these without letting her live chicks perish.
Just put any more chicks that hatch under her at night and she should certainly mother them.

 

[KahKaDoodleDo22]

I'd give it a go.

Wait until it's dark and let her hear them peeping if you can before you put them under her - she should start quietly clucking to them. If she's happy about the arrangement she may help you tuck them under her. Wait awhile once they are under her to ensure everyone is happy and none of the chicks pop out and wander off in the dark. Then first thing in the morning check on them to make sure she's still happy and everyone is still together.

Being that it was her first time she may have been a bit overwhelmed, but now that her hormones are starting to settle into mother mode hopefully she'll accept a few more chicks.

Great thanks!! I am totally going to do it, but your advice gave me that extra confidence boost! So thank you!!

 

[KahKaDoodleDo22]

No, it's not to late. Put them under her at night.
Was your hen in a brooding situation where other hens were laying fresh eggs in her clutch? If so the remaining eggs could be a various stages of development and due to hatch over a couple weeks. There is no way a hen can possibly hatch these without letting her live chicks perish.
Just put any more chicks that hatch under her at night and she should certainly mother them.

Hi, yeah there were two hens that laid a few eggs that she happily added to her clutch. Lol so they’re all a few days behind. I will hatch out the rest, what I can and see what to do with them. I’ll maybe even add anymore that hatch in the next 24 hours but then I think no more after that.

Thanks for your advice. Very helpful!!

 

[KahKaDoodleDo22]

UPDATE: successful!

brought them to mama last night when everyone was sleepy, around 11:30PM and she took them in right away!

 

[Eggscaping]

Thank you for updating us! Glad it worked...they look happy together!