Mama Hatched out 5 Chickens and Left The Other Eggs - I Don't Have An Incubator

[machoman]

I'm in that awful learning curve that comes with homesteading. I have a hen that was sitting on several of her own eggs and several fertile eggs given to me by a farmer. She went broody 22 days ago. This morning there were five chicks in the coop and two dead chicks that had hatched, but didn't make it. I'm guessing the farmers eggs were farther along than my hen's. There were also 5 cold eggs in her nest. The longest they would have gone without them being sat on his 14 hours, that' s worst case scenario. I cracked one by accident and it did have an almost fully formed chick inside. I don't have an incubator nor the money to purchase one. The only thing I have is a brooder lamp. What I've done is set them in a straw nest with the light above. The eggs were already marked, so I know which side is which. I need to turn them every six hours, right? Is this a completely lost cause? Should I just give up and toss them?

 

[michelle43]

Unfortunately, without an incubator it would be almost impossible to manage the correct humidity and temperature. If the temp and humidity are not just right, the chick won't develop correctly. I hate to say it, but if you don't have another broody hen or know someone who has an incubator, I would say it doesn't look good.

 

[chickenjoefan]

Sorry but its probably too late.

Broody hens often give up on unhatched eggs after a certain amount of time.

There is the school of thought that thinks mum knows best and that they probably weren't viable. 21 days is the normal incubation period. if there is no cheaping from the unhatched eggsor any signs of pipping they are probably dead.

You can try candling them to be sure. If you shine a strong torch through the egg you should be able to see a shadow and the air pocket at the round end. If the chick is alive you should be able to see the air pocket move, or hear a click noise as it breathes if it has pipped internally.

5 healthy chicks is great though. enjoy them

 

[machoman]

I've gone bonkers, I think. I had chicken and rabbit gestation confused, haha. I was expecting 28 days. We have bunnies too, I just need to take a nap, I think.

Yes, I'll let them go.

 

[machoman]

I cracked two and they're perfectly formed chicks except their bottoms are an egg yolk ball. I'm curious if these are from my other hen and she was rolling them out of the nest and put hers in.