How long does it take a hen to hatch eggs?

[sunshinehs]

When you candle them, what are you suppose to see,, my hen has been sitting now for 5 days, I know it's early but she's sitting on 6 eggs, I would like to know what to look for, thanks

 

[bobbi-j]

Here is a very good resource to help you see what you should be seeing when you candle. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/candling-pics-progression-through-incubation-of-chicken-eggs

 

[chynasparks]

Bare with me, uploading pic from phone first time. My Buff Orp hatched 4 cuties some time around 23rd July. They're doing great but I worry for mother hen. I've got her sequestered in an area of the coop with the babies. I'm trying to keep the Roo and other hen away from babies. The can see them though which I hope will make it easy to put them all together later. I've got water feed near her of course but mom can't get outside. I made a fatal mistake in moving the Roo and other hen to an adjoining whoop coop. First night was ok but second night I lost my Tillie to a predator. Suspect raccoon. Things are good for now but momma hen is going to want to go outside soon. Peeps are so cute I couldn't stand to loose one.

 

[bobbi-j]

Lots of experienced chicken-keepers keep the mama and babies in with the flock from the beginning. This is good for several reasons. The mother hen will be VERY protective of her baby. The other chickens won't be able to get close enough to harm the babies, so no worries there. The rooster will most likely come between the mama and babies to keep them from being bothered by the rest of the flock. I've seen my rooster come between the hen and chicks and my bossy hen. I usually wait a week or so, because my chickens free range and I have a barn cat that prowls around my chicken area. This year I'm glad I got my first broody and babies together with the flock when I did because shortly after that a raccoon killed the mama, leaving 5 orphans. They were already integrated and knew their place in the flock. No problems there. The "look but don't touch" method of integration works to a point, but there will still be scuffles to reestablish pecking order when they're all in the same place. All that to say, if it were my hen and chick, I'd put them with the flock. Watch to make sure there aren't any problems the first day or so, and they should be good to go.

 

[AmericanMom]

Lots of experienced chicken-keepers keep the mama and babies in with the flock from the beginning. This is good for several reasons. The mother hen will be VERY protective of her baby. The other chickens won't be able to get close enough to harm the babies, so no worries there. The rooster will most likely come between the mama and babies to keep them from being bothered by the rest of the flock. I've seen my rooster come between the hen and chicks and my bossy hen. I usually wait a week or so, because my chickens free range and I have a barn cat that prowls around my chicken area. This year I'm glad I got my first broody and babies together with the flock when I did because shortly after that a raccoon killed the mama, leaving 5 orphans. They were already integrated and knew their place in the flock. No problems there. The "look but don't touch" method of integration works to a point, but there will still be scuffles to reestablish pecking order when they're all in the same place. All that to say, if it were my hen and chick, I'd put them with the flock. Watch to make sure there aren't any problems the first day or so, and they should be good to go.

X2!! I have two hens so far that I have to separate during the time she is sitting as hens try and lay in the nest , eggs get broke Etc.. But as soon as they hatch and momma has them up and eating SHE takes them back to the flock, I totally leave it up to the hen and when I have done that she is back within two or three days after the hatch, my last broody was able to hatch within the main coop and she had the babies out and about the day after the last one hatched.. The other hens are always curious but the momma hen forces them to keep their distance, even my 3 month old Geese steer clear of the broody hens, they have been attacked more than once and know she means business.. The roosters help with the chicks, helping the hen find tidbits for them and they run to him just as easily as they run to her.

 

[chynasparks]

It's been a week. They are a week old now. I should begin letting them live together? My flock has a fenced area they range in. The fencing is just that orange plastic netting. It's just to keep my chickens from going across the street to city hall. My Roo only has one other hen now and I fear he will want her causing fighting around the chicks since she really can't get away. Family emergency has made it very difficult to prepare for these babies. Still going through some stuff but I still want to try to keep my chickens and new babies safe. I just lost a hen don't want to loose any more. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[AmericanMom]

It's been a week. They are a week old now. I should begin letting them live together? My flock has a fenced area they range in. The fencing is just that orange plastic netting. It's just to keep my chickens from going across the street to city hall. My Roo only has one other hen now and I fear he will want her causing fighting around the chicks since she really can't get away. Family emergency has made it very difficult to prepare for these babies. Still going through some stuff but I still want to try to keep my chickens and new babies safe. I just lost a hen don't want to loose any more. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Chickens have been doing the chicken thing for centuries. Why is it we as humans believe that we know nature better than they? I understand your concerns and the only thing I can say is watch, your chicks have a better chance of being lost to a predator than they do to the flock. My chicks that have been hatched by a broody are with the flock (50+ chickens+ roosters + geese+turkeys) within hours if not a few days of hatching..I have never lost a chick to another hen/rooster... Hawks yes, chickens no

 

[chynasparks]

It's been a week. They are a week old now. I should begin letting them live together? My flock has a fenced area they range in. The fencing is just that orange plastic netting. It's just to keep my chickens from going across the street to city hall. My Roo only has one other hen now and I fear he will want her causing fighting around the chicks since she really can't get away. Family emergency has made it very difficult to prepare for these babies. Still going through some stuff but I still want to try to keep my chickens and new babies safe. I just lost a hen don't want to loose any more. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

  Chickens have been doing the chicken thing for centuries. Why is it we as humans believe that we know nature better than they? I understand your concerns and the only thing I can say is watch, your chicks have a better chance of being lost to a predator than they do to the flock.  My chicks that have been hatched by a broody are with the flock (50+ chickens+ roosters + geese+turkeys) within hours if not a few days of hatching..I have never lost a chick to another hen/rooster... Hawks yes, chickens no

I take it that your flock is large and free range and that mother hens have places to get away with their babies. Mine aren't so blessed. But I understand what you are saying. Chickens raise chickens in the group all the time. Forgive my ignorance, I'm learning a as I go. That's why I turned to this forum, for "helpful" tips on how to proceed. Thanks for the advice.

 

[bobbi-j]

It's been a week. They are a week old now. I should begin letting them live together? My flock has a fenced area they range in. The fencing is just that orange plastic netting. It's just to keep my chickens from going across the street to city hall. My Roo only has one other hen now and I fear he will want her causing fighting around the chicks since she really can't get away. Family emergency has made it very difficult to prepare for these babies. Still going through some stuff but I still want to try to keep my chickens and new babies safe. I just lost a hen don't want to loose any more. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

That's about the time I usually introduce my hens and chicks to the flock. I believe they're better off going in with the flock when they're young. For one thing, there is some truth to the saying, "Safety in numbers".

I take it that your flock is large and free range and that mother hens have places to get away with their babies. Mine aren't so blessed. But I understand what you are saying. Chickens raise chickens in the group all the time. Forgive my ignorance, I'm learning a as I go. That's why I turned to this forum, for "helpful" tips on how to proceed. Thanks for the advice.

For the first day or so, mine are in the coop/run together. Actually, what I do is, let some of the chickens out, leave some in, and then let those out, lock more in. It gives the ones who are laying and want to get in the nest boxes a chance to do so. I've noticed that the mother hens don't really need a place to get away with their babies. It's the other hens who need to get away from the protective mamas!

We all started out new at this at one time or another, and most of what is learned is learned through experience.

 

[AmericanMom]

I take it that your flock is large and free range and that mother hens have places to get away with their babies. Mine aren't so blessed. But I understand what you are saying. Chickens raise chickens in the group all the time. Forgive my ignorance, I'm learning a as I go. That's why I turned to this forum, for "helpful" tips on how to proceed. Thanks for the advice.

Oh I hope you didn't take offence,..... we are all new at this at some point and I am still learning things, I am so sorry if I come across as harsh, It truly was not intended...
Being on a 1/3 acre fenced in run , yes they do have places to get away but I have not really seen them do that, instead what I see is the Momma hen clears a path for them, Mind you she is an absolute brute and will take on anything that she thinks may endanger her chicks, even a goose three times her size

I have never seen a chicken ride a goose, but have since learned it can be done lol..
This forum is a wonderful place for all of us! I am sorry if my post was not helpful, I just meant to say that sometimes we overthink things where as the hen has it ingrained in her ( or most do)