Naturally Hatching Eggs!

[DWClay]

Beautiful babies and I love your flock! They also all have great names!! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you!

 

[Perris]

this is all new to me so advice is extremely welcomed

I'm happy to help where I can

My only thought with that is that the already hatched babies are getting out of the nesting box and exploring much to the panic of "Bunty" who is the broody hen

Almost every broody faces this situation when eggs hatch sequentially. Instinct usually serves them well. The hatched babies won't be out for long before they need a nap and warm up under her (like human babies sleep almost all day long at the start), and she will call them back if she's really worried about them. And they instinctively recognize her warning and rush back to/under her.

I'm just worried the other hens might bother the chicks that are adventuring while she is trying to hatch the last two eggs

Leave the calls on this to her, she'll be better at judging the situation than we ever will be. If necessary she'll leave the eggs for a moment to rescue the chicks.

And food wise i got them medicated chick feed and I'm worried the other chickens will eat their feed before the new arrivals have a chance to get something

Investigate 'creep feeders'. You may be able to make one. Basically it is a cover with small holes that controls access to the chick feed so only chicks are small enough to get in to eat it.

 

[DWClay]

I'm happy to help where I can

Almost every broody faces this situation when eggs hatch sequentially. Instinct usually serves them well. The hatched babies won't be out for long before they need a nap and warm up under her (like human babies sleep almost all day long at the start), and she will call them back if she's really worried about them. And they instinctively recognize her warning and rush back to/under her.

Leave the calls on this to her, she'll be better at judging the situation than we ever will be. If necessary she'll leave the eggs for a moment to rescue the chicks.

Investigate 'creep feeders'. You may be able to make one. Basically it is a cover with small holes that controls access to the chick feed so only chicks are small enough to get in to eat it.

Thank You so much!! All of this makes so much sense!

 

[kattabelly]

Investigate 'creep feeders'. You may be able to make one. Basically it is a cover with small holes that controls access to the chick feed so only chicks are small enough to get in to eat it.

Something like a slanted cover over a paving slab or two can be good when they're very new - have one end high enough that mum can get her head in enough to show them the food, but low enough at the other side (and wide enough) that she and the other adults can't reach the food towards the middle and back.

Simple enough to knock together with some scrap ply or osb or even the lid of a big plastic box propped up on more scrap wood or a few bricks.

 

[Yardmom]

Another method to handle the feeding situation is to feed an all flock feed.

 

[DWClay]

Something like a slanted cover over a paving slab or two can be good when they're very new - have one end high enough that mum can get her head in enough to show them the food, but low enough at the other side (and wide enough) that she and the other adults can't reach the food towards the middle and back.

Simple enough to knock together with some scrap ply or osb or even the lid of a big plastic box propped up on more scrap wood or a few bricks.

Great Idea! Thank you!!

 

[DWClay]

Another method to handle the feeding situation is to feed an all flock feed.

Very good point!!

 

[DWClay]

NEW ARRIVAL
Chick #5 “Fred” *hiding under feathers*
Mom is an OE named Martha (Pictured Below)

 

[Tex452]

I would get the hen and chicks separated from the flock asap.
Congrats on your first hatch, and welcome to the addiction.
That is a nice looking rooster.
I just acquired a speckled Sussex rooster for $10, I didn’t have room for him at the moment, so I gave him to my brother, I can get hatching eggs from him, for $10 I couldn’t turn that young rooster down.

 

[DWClay]

I would get the hen and chicks separated from the flock asap.
Congrats on your first hatch, and welcome to the addiction.
That is a nice looking rooster.
I just acquired a speckled Sussex rooster for $10, I didn’t have room for him at the moment, so I gave him to my brother, I can get hatching eggs from him, for $10 I couldn’t turn that young rooster down.

He's gorgeous! You cant beat $10! I got mine from my friend who is constantly got too many rooters she wants good homes for! My last rooster was a quarter of Doc's size and the meanest thing on earth! I tried everything but once he came at me and sliced my shin and thigh open, I was done.

Enter Doc, who is the sweetest big dude on earth! and he's not even a year old yet! His dad was 2 1/2 ft tall! He's already 2 feet tall and still has a lot of growing to do!

I hope your guy is amazing for you too! I'm sure he'll make BEAUTIFUL babies!!