Hens only hatched half the eggs

[TexasSam]

is there something I should do hens only hatched half the eggs? There are 4 more with chicks inside

 

[Poultrybreeder]

It could have just been a bad hatch. I would see if the eggs with chicks in them will hatch too

 

[sawilliams]

If the 4 are still alive incubate if you can...

My understanding is a mama hen will stay on the nest 2-3 days well late bloomers finish hatching anything after that is abandoned becuase mama need to get her chicks to food and water.

Where all the eggs set at the same time or was she allowed to collect eggs on her own? Often times if a mama collects her own eggs it can increase the delay in hatching causing near hatch chicks to be abandoned. It's best to collect the eggs keep them in a counter or other safe (not cold) place untill you have how ever many you want her to hatch. Mark then and collect any of the unmarked as usual

 

[TexasSam]

They were layed two to three days apart and I know there are babies in the last four. Is there a way I can incubate myself without A incubator

 

[TexasSam]

They were layed two to three days apart and I know there are babies in the last four. Is there a way I can incubate myself without A incubator

I really wasn't trying but don't want to watch these guys dye

 

[sawilliams]

Sorry i can't help you there I have not incubated yet. Hopefully someone will chime in but perhaps you could look up homemade incubators

 

[TexasSam]

Sorry i can't help you there I have not incubated yet. Hopefully someone will chime in but perhaps you could look up homemade incubators

You read my mind

 

[sawilliams]

That looks awesome.

 

[sawilliams]

I'm starting to think it might be a really safe idea to get at least a small cheap incubator for next spring. I'm hoping my chick does turn out to be a rooster, and I have at least 2 hens that will go broody... better have a back up plan

 

[bobbi-j]

They were layed two to three days apart and I know there are babies in the last four. Is there a way I can incubate myself without A incubator

It doesn't matter how far apart the eggs were laid. They don't start to develop until incubation has started. That's how a hen can take 10 or more days to lay her clutch before she starts setting. If they were put under the hen two three days after the first ones, that will give you a "staggered hatch". That's a little easier to manage with an artificial incubator, but not a good plan with a broody. She is programmed to set anywhere from 1-3 days after the first chick hatches, then take those that have hatched off the nest to teach them to eat, drink, and do other chickeny things. She figures any that haven't hatched at that time won't.

Have you candled the 4 remaining eggs? Is there any sign of life? If those eggs were set at the same time as the others, I'd guess they have died in the shell. It happens sometimes. If you don't hear any peeping or see any signs of life when you candle, I'd dispose of them soon. If you have a staggered hatch going, I'd wait until maybe 2 days or so past their expected hatch date, then dispose of them if nothing happens.