We have a really broody hen, so we got her a clutch of 8 eggs going and she was perfectly content. She booted three out, one hatched on Wed, one disappeared Wed night (I mean gone without a trace...no shell, no yolk, no dead peep), and one hatched yesterday. That leaves two in the nest that haven't pipped yet. Baby 1 is 3 days old and baby 2 is 1.5 days old. All the eggs were placed under her at the same time, but it is possible that she or another hen laid one in there after we placed the clutch.
How long should we leave the last two eggs before we give up on them and take them away? As long as the eggs are in there, she keeps going back. Should we move the eggs/nest to a box on the floor that the biddies can come and go from?
Baby 1 has left with momma to eat, baby 2 hasn't left yet. We have to put baby 1 back in the nest by hand because momma won't lead him up the little ramp we built and just hops in without him.
Any advice is much appreciated!
How long should we leave the last two eggs before we give up on them and take them away? As long as the eggs are in there, she keeps going back. Should we move the eggs/nest to a box on the floor that the biddies can come and go from?
Baby 1 has left with momma to eat, baby 2 hasn't left yet. We have to put baby 1 back in the nest by hand because momma won't lead him up the little ramp we built and just hops in without him.
Any advice is much appreciated!
