Mom still on eggs, 1 baby 6/22/15

[tbcorum]

mom takes up entire space in nesting box with herself and eggs. no space for water & food for baby. should I move them? this is my 1st try with a broody hen? HELP PLZ!!!

 

[StarMeKritten]

The chicks will be fine without food and water for a few days after hatching. They absorb the yolk right before hatching and it will provide all the nourishment they need for the first 2-3 days. No need to feed them on the nest. Mom is just bonding with her new chick(s) and giving them time to rest after the hard work of hatching. She will probably take them out tomorrow and show them the food and water. If she's still stuck on the nest then, remove any unhatched eggs and she will be more willing to get up and tend to her chicks.

 

[nchls school]

mom takes up entire space in nesting box with herself and eggs.  no space for water & food for baby.  should I move them?  this is my 1st try with a broody hen?  HELP PLZ!!!

Are anymore eggs hatching? If so, wait. The hatched chick will not need food and water for a day. Food can be put in small containers in front of the hen; same with the water. Be careful so the water does not spill. Water does not need to be left in the nest box. Offer water to hen and chick-dip the chick's beak, just the very tip, into the water and it will drink if it needs to. Do the same in a few hours. If your hen is tame she will take this in stride. If you're not sure if more eggs are hatching, don't look. Upset broodies often smash their eggs accidentally when they are disturbed. Offer food and water as described and wait until tomorrow. Can the chick get out of the nest and be hurt/fall? If so, place a barrier/board/screen that is high enough to keep the chick in but low enough so the hen can get out if she needs to in front of the nest and around it.

 

[StarMeKritten]

Hens are very capable of going for a couple days without food/ water around hatch time. Their metabolism slows way down when they are brooding. If you put food and water where the hen can reach it without getting up, she's likely to poop in her nest, possibly all over new chicks and unhatched eggs. It's better to put it where she can see it but has to get up to get it. It will help encourage her to get off the nest with her new babies. I've never dunked the beaks of broody hatched chicks in water. Doing so won't hurt anything but is not necessary. The hen will show the chicks herself.

 

[nchls school]

In this case you will have to decide what is the right thing to do. Good luck.

 

[nchls school]

Did more eggs hatch? I am hoping that you got more.