hen is off the nest and theres still eggs

[chicks9]

My hen has hatched three eggs and is no longer sitting on the others we have 10 eggs left. She has been off the nest for anywhere between 12-24 hours i have moved 5 of the eggs to a incubator and the other five are under a different hen. We candled the ten eggs all have air sacks and we are wondering what are the chances if any will hatch? This is our first attempt of hatching eggs and we are also wondering if the mother hen will still accept the others if they hatch with the other chicks. Thank you

 

[chicks4kids]

I would just introduce the chicks while everyone is sleeping and see how it goes...

Good luck!

 

[kelseygirl707]

I hope they hatch for you, by this time the chicks will have good body heat, hopefully that will have kept them alive. Were they cold when you found them?

 

[chicks9]

Yes the eggs were cold to the touch when i found them.Quickly put them under a heat lamp and then into incubator after i ran to tractor supply to get one.

 

[kelseygirl707]

Well, they may surprise you, and I hope they do, but 12-24 hours out in the open isn't ideal. Give them a few days, it seems just when you think there is no way, you peek in to find a chick!

 

[babsbag]

I just hatched one out that mom left in the nest. It had pipped so I helped, but it was cold to the touch as well. Now 5 days later I can't tell which chick it is. I just warmed it up in the incubator after I helped it hatch, gave it some sugar water and popped it back under mom when it was dry. She never saw it coming

I didn't even wait until dark. Good luck with your eggs. I hope they hatch.

I also candled a few that she kicked out early on hatch day, (I think she just had too many eggs) and stuck them in the incubator until she hatched out a few chicks and then I gave her those eggs back and she hatched them as well. But she had not left the nest at that point. I am just telling you that because I candled them, moved them twice, and they still hatched. So much for lockdown

Don't give up on them.

If they hatch and you give them back to the hen just watch her and make sure she takes them and if not, have your brooder ready. House chicks are fun

 

[chicks9]

Thank you all for the responses.Her nest was inside a well insulated coop with heat lamps on .So not outside in a barn or free range.We won't give up and really appreicated the help we are novices at this.Thanks so much

 

[Mahonri]

Keep us posted.

 

[chicks9]

None have hatched.