Mama hen was killed 2.5 weeks in...

[Chadell]

We had a little mama hen sitting on about a dozen eggs for a little over two weeks. Sometime in the night (2 nights ago) something got in the coop and got her I tried to get another hen to sit on them but she’s kinda grumpy and tried to start cracking the eggs...so I made an impromptu incubator out of a box, a blanket, wet clothes in the corners and a heating pad. I’ve put them in my laundry room and have kept the washer and dryer going on hot water and high heat...
I read that the eggs are supposed to be turned every now and then and I’ve done that. Today the box really stunk I took them out side and was sitting there trying to think of another way besides abandoning them. And I heard chirping...I kept listening and yes!! It was coming from the eggs!! So I took them back to the laundry room and turned the heating pad back on...I’ve heard chirping more since then, but I’m not really sure what to do. I’ve never done this before. We just let the hens do their thing. We’ve had several new additions to a family that way...but this mama (Ebony) was dear to me and I don’t want all of her hard work thrown out. I want to try as best I can. Do you have any advice?

 

[chickenlittle21]

We had a little mama hen sitting on about a dozen eggs for a little over two weeks. Sometime in the night (2 nights ago) something got in the coop and got her☹ I tried to get another hen to sit on them but she’s kinda grumpy and tried to start cracking the eggs...so I made an impromptu incubator out of a box, a blanket, wet clothes in the corners and a heating pad. I’ve put them in my laundry room and have kept the washer and dryer going on hot water and high heat...
I read that the eggs are supposed to be turned every now and then and I’ve done that. Today the box really stunk I took them out side and was sitting there trying to think of another way besides abandoning them. And I heard chirping...I kept listening and yes!! It was coming from the eggs!! So I took them back to the laundry room and turned the heating pad back on...I’ve heard chirping more since then, but I’m not really sure what to do. I’ve never done this before. We just let the hens do their thing. We’ve had several new additions to a family that way...but this mama (Ebony) was dear to me and I don’t want all of her hard work thrown out. I want to try as best I can. Do you have any advice?

Sorry for your loss . Do you have a thermometer or a hydrometer that you could put in the box?

 

[NatJ]

Today the box really stunk

I'm guessing that one or more eggs are rotten.

Maybe pick each egg up gently, one by one, then listen and smell them. Any that chirp should go back where it's warm, any that stink get disposed of (but not thrown in a trash can in the house, because you want the smell gone.)

Sorry, I don't know what to advise about the live ones.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Have you been misting the eggs? They can't dry out

 

[Chadell]

Thank you all. Ok, so 1 definitely smelled very bad. And two others kinda, I took them all 3 outside I definitely heard chirps from 3 and one had visible movement when I watched it closely and I marked those with a washable markerI hope it doesn’t hurt them. I didn’t think to mist them, but I will. I’ve kept a wet cloth in the box with them. Thank you so much! One more question, should I keep turning them? Can they drown or something idk...I’ve never done this...I’ve had 6 children but never had a chick

 

[Chadell]

Sorry for your loss . Do you have a thermometer or a hydrometer that you could put in the box?

I have a regular thermometer for checking for fever And a meat thermometer...what temp should the box be?

 

[chickenlittle21]

Thank you all. Ok, so 1 definitely smelled very bad. And two others kinda, I took them all 3 outside I definitely heard chirps from 3 and one had visible movement when I watched it closely and I marked those with a washable markerI hope it doesn’t hurt them. I didn’t think to mist them, but I will. I’ve kept a wet cloth in the box with them. Thank you so much! One more question, should I keep turning them? Can they drown or something idk...I’ve never done this...I’ve had 6 children but never had a chick

Don't continue turning them

I have a regular thermometer for checking for fever And a meat thermometer...what temp should the box be?

The temperature should be 98- 101

 

[Chadell]

Don't continue turning them

The temperature should be 98- 101

Thank you!! You all may very well be little chicken life savers!!

 

[Chadell]

Thank you all for your help! I wanted to update once I thought they were done...I still have 3 unhatched eggs, but they’re not making any sound but, we have 10! hatched babies!!! The little one by itself just hatched a couple hrs ago and we’ve learned from watching the others it takes them 8-10 hrs to start looking alive. I guess they’re just really tired from all that work.
I’ve moved them to a small cage, they have chick starter and fresh water and a heat lamp.
Thank you all for helping me save my sweet Ebony’s babies

 

[chickenlittle21]

Thank you all for your help! I wanted to update once I thought they were done...I still have 3 unhatched eggs, but they’re not making any sound but, we have 10! hatched babies!!! The little one by itself just hatched a couple hrs ago and we’ve learned from watching the others it takes them 8-10 hrs to start looking alive. I guess they’re just really tired from all that work.
I’ve moved them to a small cage, they have chick starter and fresh water and a heat lamp.
Thank you all for helping me save my sweet Ebony’s babiesView attachment 2328119

Adorable! You could try candling the eggs that haven't hatched to see if they have a chick inside.