Multiple Eggs Fertilized at Different Times

[StarryBayFarm]

Hi all.

It's our first time hatching eggs. We have two silkies that have been very broody. Over our snow fall we failed at removing eggs and have a rooster. By the time we went to collect eggs the one hen had 4 eggs that were all fertilized. We decided to let her have them and marked them. However, we don't know how long they were in there and could be multiple days a part. One chick has hatched and doing great. We are on day 4 and the other 3 are still eggs but she is sitting on them and determined to hatch them. We have her in the coop but in a separate section with food and water so baby chick can eat. She has taught it to eat and drink which has been adorable.

My question, how long do we leave the other eggs? Should we move them to the other still broody hen who has a fake egg right now? Would having two mamas be harder?

Feeling a bit lost in this process.

 

[Bonkerelli]

Hello and congrats on your chicken venture. It's not necessarily that they were fertilized at a different time but layed. My broody hen stole eggs to sit on. I would give it another week but you can candle them (check with a flash light) to see it they even developed. If they are a few days behind you should see movement and the chick taking up the entire egg.

 

[StarryBayFarm]

Thank you! Yes, we did a flashlight a couple weeks ago and all four were fertilized but will check today to see if we can see a chick in the other 3. No matter, should we leave them until she stops sitting on them? And if/when that happens should we try to put them under the other hen since she is still broody? I love this but also don't want to fail

 

[Bonkerelli]

There is a point she'll want to get off but itll be some time. She'll keep sitting there because of the hatched chick. I'll give it another week after you confirmed a chick is still in there. It is possible you have duds. It happens unfortunately.

 

[StarryBayFarm]

There is a point she'll want to get off but itll be some time. She'll keep sitting there because of the hatched chick. I'll give it another week after you confirmed a chick is still in there. It is possible you have duds. It happens unfortunately.

Looks like one is a dud but the other two are developing however they aren't full yet so I am guessing one is at least 5 more days and the other possibly 7 but you could see veins and chicks. Hopefully she can wait that out. So far she is very committed to seeing them hatch. Our chickens free range and have a very large coup and run. We haven't seen any pecking issues in the 9 months we have had them so do you think it is ok to allow her to socialize with her chicks after the last one is a week or so old? They only issue we have is that our coup is about 3 feet up with a ramp so if she goes down it I fear the chicks won't be able to make it up.

 

[Bonkerelli]

Looks like one is a dud but the other two are developing however they aren't full yet so I am guessing one is at least 5 more days and the other possibly 7 but you could see veins and chicks. Hopefully she can wait that out. So far she is very committed to seeing them hatch. Our chickens free range and have a very large coup and run. We haven't seen any pecking issues in the 9 months we have had them so do you think it is ok to allow her to socialize with her chicks after the last one is a week or so old? They only issue we have is that our coup is about 3 feet up with a ramp so if she goes down it I fear the chicks won't be able to make it up.

It is very amazing how fast chicks grow inside. Check them again in 3 days.. then 3 after that. You'll be able to monitor the rate or growth. From my experience broody hens will sit on nest for a long while even after all the babies are hatched. At the end of 7 days you are sure they might still hatch, stick them under the other broody hen if you so wish. But they might not hatch beyond that amount of time. Since there was not official "start" date you do want to give it some time. Also, some chicks hatch later for multiple reasons. Heat, humidity, or momma not rolling the eggs enough.

Everyone has an opinion about when to let the new chicks associate with the rest of the flock. I'll give you a few options. You can wait about two-four weeks before you let the momma and the chick(s) associate with the flock. She'll know what she is doing. Broody hens are VERY protective and I learned that other hens will be as well (not all though). Or you can momma and the chick right in the flock if you have a well tempered flock. The chicks will follow their momma everywhere but they should be able to climb up and down that ramp. I had that problem to.. it takes them about a week to figure it out.

Here is a link that is really useful that might answer some of your questions.. it is extensive information about chickens in general and hatching/egg development.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-and-lots-of-reading-updated-nov-13th.343605/

Good luck and let me know how it turns out!

 

[StarryBayFarm]

It is very amazing how fast chicks grow inside. Check them again in 3 days.. then 3 after that. You'll be able to monitor the rate or growth. From my experience broody hens will sit on nest for a long while even after all the babies are hatched. At the end of 7 days you are sure they might still hatch, stick them under the other broody hen if you so wish. But they might not hatch beyond that amount of time. Since there was not official "start" date you do want to give it some time. Also, some chicks hatch later for multiple reasons. Heat, humidity, or momma not rolling the eggs enough.

Everyone has an opinion about when to let the new chicks associate with the rest of the flock. I'll give you a few options. You can wait about two-four weeks before you let the momma and the chick(s) associate with the flock. She'll know what she is doing. Broody hens are VERY protective and I learned that other hens will be as well (not all though). Or you can momma and the chick right in the flock if you have a well tempered flock. The chicks will follow their momma everywhere but they should be able to climb up and down that ramp. I had that problem to.. it takes them about a week to figure it out.

Here is a link that is really useful that might answer some of your questions.. it is extensive information about chickens in general and hatching/egg development.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-and-lots-of-reading-updated-nov-13th.343605/

Good luck and let me know how it turns out!

Thank you so much!

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

Hi all.

It's our first time hatching eggs. We have two silkies that have been very broody. Over our snow fall we failed at removing eggs and have a rooster. By the time we went to collect eggs the one hen had 4 eggs that were all fertilized. We decided to let her have them and marked them. However, we don't know how long they were in there and could be multiple days a part. One chick has hatched and doing great. We are on day 4 and the other 3 are still eggs but she is sitting on them and determined to hatch them. We have her in the coop but in a separate section with food and water so baby chick can eat. She has taught it to eat and drink which has been adorable.

My question, how long do we leave the other eggs? Should we move them to the other still broody hen who has a fake egg right now? Would having two mamas be harder?

Feeling a bit lost in this process.

How are things going? The fate of the eggs may already be in the past, but if not, consider just letting Mother Nature be in charge. Without your intervention, candling, worrying, etc., no doubt things will unfold as they should! I posted a telling experience about my Kai here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/amateur-hour.1485019/page-2#post-25360373