This morning one of my silkie mix hens hatched out a peafowl egg. There were 4 eggs in the nest but only one was viable. The chick had just hatched out around 10:00am. The hen was not sitting on the nest. She was off to the side about 6 feet away. She has yet to return to the chick and it has been about 4 hours since hatching. I am wondering if the chick will dry off and fluff out without the mother hen covering it for warmth? Is it natural for the hen to ignore the chick for several hours?
Usually I come upon new chicks after they have fluffed out and are peeking out from under the mother hen. I am just a bit concerned that the hen may be abandoning the chick...should I be so concerned?
Usually I come upon new chicks after they have fluffed out and are peeking out from under the mother hen. I am just a bit concerned that the hen may be abandoning the chick...should I be so concerned?
