Need advice...Had to move hen/eggs after 1st chick hatched.

[Hippiefrog]

So, one of the 6 eggs, under my broody hen, hatched today. Due to her horrible location, in the nesting box, I had no way to safely block her in and provide her food/water. (I had tried to locate her previously and it was a major fail).Other hens and our 2 two week old chicks, and their mom kept trying to mess with her baby and eggs, pecking at them and babies jumping in with her. I had to make the call quickly so I moved her, chick and the other 5 eggs. I was extremely gentle and made sure to place them exactly how they were in the previous nest. Once mom realized her eggs and baby were all there, she settled in. I had snapped a quick pic of the baby and eggs before moving them since mom was up. Went to look at it, after moving the hen, only to realize that the cream colored egg was cracked and hatching! Now I'm worried that I have messed something up by moving them but, I had to make a call quickly and felt there was no other option. Am I overworrying about this?? Also, her one chick is very quiet, I'm assuming just resting from the hard work of hatching? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[britesidefarm]

As long as the broody is sitting on the eggs, you did nothing wrong. You should have another chick soon!

 

[Hippiefrog]

As long as the broody is sitting on the eggs, you did nothing wrong. You should have another chick soon!
I've been a nervous wreck for the past hour! Thank you so much for easing my mind, I didn't have to move our other momma hen, so this was a first. Can't wait to meet baby chick #2!

 

[featherhead007]

I moved my broody and her clutch of eggs... I regret it! and will, for the rest of my life. the eggs were abandoned, and Roxy broke her leg and had to be culled. She was a beautiful hen. I will never forgive myself! NEVER!

 

[SulkyBantam]

Don't worry about it, really.
So many people do this, you did the right thing and hopefully chick no.2 will hatch out perfectly.
Good luck!

 

[ackie]

It sounds like you did a great job moving her!

 

[Hippiefrog]

I moved my broody and her clutch of eggs... I regret it! and will, for the rest of my life. the eggs were abandoned, and Roxy broke her leg and had to be culled. She was a beautiful hen. I will never forgive myself! NEVER!

I'm so sorry to hear! So very sad. I really hope that's not the case here. She settled in, so fingers crossed. I'm really sorry for your losses,I can't imagine how hard that was for you. Hugs.

 

[featherhead007]

I'm so sorry to hear! So very sad. I really hope that's not the case here. She settled in, so fingers crossed. I'm really sorry for your losses,I can't imagine how hard that was for you. Hugs.

Extremely hard!

 

[ackie]

I've moved eggs the day they were supposed to hatch - found a hen on something like 30 eggs and didn't know how long shed been on the nest so moved most into the incubator & left her a smaller amount, went to the store, came home and there was a chick in the incubator. I thought SO was messing with me at first. We had a surprising amount hatch given that theres no way she could have properly incubated all 30 eggs.

 

[Hippiefrog]

I've moved eggs the day they were supposed to hatch - found a hen on something like 30 eggs and didn't know how long shed been on the nest so moved most into the incubator & left her a smaller amount, went to the store, came home and there was a chick in the incubator. I thought SO was messing with me at first. We had a surprising amount hatch given that theres no way she could have properly incubated all 30 eggs.

Wow 30 eggs? That's so awesome that you were able to hatch some! Very cool!