I think I messed up

[cfdf]

I have a broody cochin bantam. She started sitting on eggs. I took the eggs away. She kept sitting on the nest and the other chickens kept laying eggs in that nest. I finally gave up and left the eggs. I decided to let her hatch the eggs. 1 chick hatched yesterday. I really don't know how long the other eggs have been there. Should I just wait and see what happens or should I remove the other eggs? I have moved her, her baby and the other eggs to a coop within the big coop outside. The other chickens can no longer get near her or lay more eggs. I'm a dummy for not reading this section before now. Live and learn. You chicken people with more (it wouldn't take alot to be more than me) experience on hatching eggs, please give me your advice. Should I leave the eggs, remove them, or wait longer (if so how long would you wait until you disgard the unhatched eggs?)

Thanks in advance!

 

[MissJenny]

Leave the eggs for a day or two. It certainly won't hurt and one more might hatch. Are any of them peeping. I love when they peep.

Congrats on the baby. Does Mama have food and water handy?

Jenny

 

[cfdf]

Quote:
I really haven't listened to the eggs. I will try that tomorrow. Yes, I put food and water in her coop. Her coop is 5' long x 4' deep x 3' tall x 5' total height (I'm guessing on the height). I put it inside my 8 x 10 coop. It doesn't take up any floor space because it is up on tall legs. She's nice and cozy in there. I hope mama and baby will be fine in this cold. I have a heat lamp I can turn on at night. We're suppose to get freezing rain/ice on Wednesday..not snow. Thoughts?

 

[curtsey13]

I just went through a similar thing - out of 5 eggs, only 1 hatched. I left the other eggs for 4 days after the one hatched. I went ahead and removed the eggs and then I made a BIG mistake - I moved the baby chick into the house in a brooder

figured our Silkie hen got it out of her system.. WRONG, went over there this evening and she had stolen 2 eggs

So I stuck 3 more under her and I guess this time I won't bring the baby / babies into the house.

 

[cfdf]

Quote:
Ok, so I will definitely leave the 1 baby chick. I think I'll just sit it out and let nature take it's course...unless someone convinces me to do otherwise.

 

[MissJenny]

Mama will take care of baby just fine -- the baby will stay under Mama where she'll be warm as toast.

Jenny

 

[nuttyredhead]

Congrats on the chick!!! I would give them another day or 2. Good luck!!!

Oh and definetely listen tomorrow for peeps. I heard my eggs peeping tonight when locking up the chickens (due to hatch tomorrow!). It is amazing!!!!

 

[chickbird]

Quote:
candle the eggs to see if a mature chick is in or one developing, throw rotten eggs away, put other eggs in incubator and hatch out..if mature as they hatch out you can place them back under the hen at night and she usually will accept them....this is what i do.

 

[cfdf]

Quote:
candle the eggs to see if a mature chick is in or one developing, throw rotten eggs away, put other eggs in incubator and hatch out..if mature as they hatch out you can place them back under the hen at night and she usually will accept them....this is what i do.

I don't have an incubator

Wish I did. Maybe I'll go to TSC today and price them.

 

[cfdf]

I don't hear any peeping in the eggs yet. I will wait longer to see what happens. I did get a good look today of the chick. He is black with feathered legs. The roo is a cochin bantam. The egg that hatched was an EE. Should be interesting to see what it grows up to look like.