Hen hatching chicks! ASAP

[justcackle]

I am so nervous. I have had chickens for years and have only hatched with a hen once. It did not turn out good! I don't know if chicks were deformed or what but hen killed them! Therefore I have never let them set again.
I currently have two hens and one rooster. I'm trying it again. They are hatching today!!!! I have a small area I can move then once they are hatched or leave them with mom and other two. Any suggestions? I don't want rooster or other hen to hurt them!

Another issue. The small pen I have has a big hole in the ground. I don't know if it is a rat or snake hole. Any suggestions on how to deal with this? I do have a small hutch to put chicks in but don't think mother would like to be closed in it. I got it from TSC

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What breed is the hen? Most brooding hens are formidable forces and will protect the chicks from other chickens. Eventually, they'll be seen as members of the flock.
I can't help you with the hole because I don't know what is in it.

 

[justcackle]

I don't really know the breed. I believe it is Andalusia. My daughter just said she got off of the eggs. should I worry?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Why not just let the mother do what she does? That would be hatch, brood, raise and teach the chicks right in the flock. The most you'd have to do it help them up a ramp to coop at night. Once she's decided it's time to go out of coop after hatch she expects them to follow and will sit down everytime they chirp for warmth so they can climb under her. She wants them outside and teaches them what to eat and how to be a chicken.

I've got chicks hatching today too. Started with one broody, a bit over a week in another decided to brood so I split the eggs. This past weekend another started, then another and another....It's a bit overwhelming. They are stealing eggs from one another, taking up the nest as another goes out for a stroll. As it stands now, three are on the nests and the longest brooding has been outside all day today and that was with a pip already and chirping in her nest. Normally I'd bust the broody girls I don't want to hatch chicks but there is a social thing going on right now I don't want to mess with. They seem to have a plan so leaving them to it.

 

[chickens really]

Leave her..She will protect them and most flock members love Chicks. Stay away during the hatching process because the Momma will become stressed by constant human interference..

 

[chuckachucka]

Leave her..She will protect them and most flock members love Chicks. Stay away during the hatching process because the Momma will become stressed by constant human interference..

Most flock members love chicks? What's wrong with my chickens then? i have had many batches of chicks hatched by broodies of different breeds over the years and every single other chicken in the flock has alwaya pecked them, quite aggressively if mother hen's back is turned.

I always segregate mum and chicks for at least the first week with a see but no touch chicken wire wall within the shared run. After that the chicks are much stronger and faster, but i would not take a chance with chicks around other chickens in the first week or so, especially if there are a lot of them for mum to protect.

 

[chuckachucka]

I don't really know the breed. I believe it is Andalusia. My daughter just said she got off of the eggs. should I worry?

Are you sure the eggs are hatching today? The hen should not get up once hatching has begun.

 

[justcackle]

Are you sure the eggs are hatching today? The hen should not get up once hatching has begun.

One was piping. So it will take a few days probably

 

[justcackle]

Leave her..She will protect them and most flock members love Chicks. Stay away during the hatching process because the Momma will become stressed by constant human interference..

That’s what I am thinking. Now to keep my little girl away!! She is so excited!

 

[chickens really]

Wait 24 hours and only peak to see her...Tell your little girl Momma might kill her babies if she gets nervous..Kids understand more than we think?...Best wishes...