Long hatch- will hen take 2 batches

SadyBaby

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My chick's started hatching yesterday (Monday) morning. It's Tuesday afternoon and we still have many to go.
With so many having fully formed chick's never hatch and poor rates this season-- since Monday was day 21 -- and 13 out of 20 had not externally popped and no chirping from them. I decided to take a look. I raised temp and humidity in my room then I took them out and candled. All were moving but looked like sluggish and air sacs were not pipped. So I made a safety hole and put them back. The first 5 that hatched are tromping all over them. The other 2 are out of shell but still attached via umbilical cord and being still. And being stepped on.

Now my question. I wanted to take these straight to my broody hen and trade for the eggs she has been sitting on. If I take these 5 tonight- will she take the rest of them later? Or will she be like "nope I already have my babies these are intruders?"
 
Hi there. All birds are different. It’s most common for a hen to only accept one batch and not new additions but I’ve read to the contrary. If she stays on the nest waiting for more eggs to hatch, usually no more than a day or two after the first babies, it may work. You will have to try it and see what happens if you think it’s ok.
The safety hole will possibly delay hatching. Once the chick internally pips and the lungs make the transition to breathing air from liquid the need for oxygen is what drives it to pip externally and then hatch if capable.
 
Thank you for explaining that! Really good knowledge that I hadn't read yet.
I am going to go ahead and take these wild children to her. I have read its best to do at night. I dont know whether its best to stay up late and take them or to get up early and take them?
 
I don’t think that’ll really matter, I did it when it was convenient for me which was before I went to bed.
I’m happy you found the information useful. It’s no guarantee the hatch will be delayed just a possibility. I hope you have a great hatch though and that you’ll update us on the broody and chicks!!
 

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