Mum not leaving nest

[Samtul]

Hi, I have a 3 chicks two born Wednesday morning, one Thursday from a broody hen. The Mum won't leave the nest, and the chicks haven't eaten. I tried yesterday to get her up, eventually she did, had a big poo and a tiny bit of boiled egg I'd put in, but then went straight back to nest. The chicks don't look weak, I haven't looked this morning yet, but wondering if I should take chicks out and show them myself?
Thank you

 

[Perris]

hello @Samtul ! welcome to BYC
Congrats on the hatch I would expect her to bring them out today, even if there are still eggs unhatched. You didn't say whether or not she's still got eggs; if so, she'll be torn between them and the chicks, but by day 3 the chicks will take precedence. Put chick crumb and water (in a shallow bowl with stones in so the chicks can't drown in it) nearby and let her do the rest. If there are any eggs left in the nest and they have not started pipping, you should probably take them away when she comes off.

 

[Samtul]

Thanks for the reply. There are no eggs left. It's like she is still brooding, she just won't move! I've just been out, and nothing has moved since last night. I've put some yoghurt with chick crumb in, I front of her, as I walked away, she pecked at it from where she is sitting so I've moved it further away, so she has to get up! I'll look in again in a couple of hours, but then unfortunately I'm going away for the night, although my daughter is here. If she hasn't moved in a couple of hours, do you think I should show the chicks how to feed, before I go away?

 

[Perris]

she may be just keeping them warm and cosy while they recover from the exertions of hatching. They need water too, especially once they start eating chick crumb.
Will they be able to get back into the nest when she does lead them out? a ramp made out of woodshavings will do if the edge of the nest is not too high.

 

[Toshiko24]

I had a random chick in October last year (Secret nest... -_-) Only one chick ended up hatching out of 13 eggs (x.x few). She was broody for like 2 extra weeks after that chick hatched and I took the bad eggs away from her. I just gave the baby a little dish of chick crumbles and a little dish of water by the mom. She still took care of the baby and would get food out of the dish for it and cackle at it so it would eat. She was a very good mom to it.

I would say just let them be. Your hen will get up and take them out when she is ready. I would just set some food and water in with them. Just dunk each baby chicks beak into the water so it kinda 'force drinks' and it should auto start drinking on its own as soon as you set it down.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BABIES!

 

[Samtul]

Thanks for replies. I've showed each chick how to eat/drink by dunking their heads in food and water. Surrounded them with food and water. We've left now, so fingers crossed when we return tomorrow afternoon Mum will have moved off her ass and done her thing!

 

[chickens really]

I provide only feed and water close to the nest. You can pick her up off the nest and destroy it. Sometimes that will get her out of her hatching mode and into Momma mode..

 

[Samtul]

I removed the nest yesterday, but she's just made herself a new nest in the shavings. I'm away now, but my daughter has said she still hasn't moved

 

[chickens really]

I removed the nest yesterday, but she's just made herself a new nest in the shavings. I'm away now, but my daughter has said she still hasn't moved

She will cover her Chicks and stay that way a couple of days. The Chicks pop out to eat and drink but remain under Momma till she is ready to go..

 

[bobbi-j]

Are you sure she hasn't taken them out when you weren't looking and then back to the nest?