Need some info kinda quickly

[rambler4681]

I have 10 eggs in my incubator on day 20 and tonight was the night I was going to take most out to my BR who has been Broody for a few days now and when I went to start this process one of the Eggs has started to hatch it's only at the pip stage and I wasn't sure if I could grab all the Eggs including that one or do I have to now wait for them all to hatch then try to place them under her immediately. Problem I see with that is by the time they all hatch it could be daylight. So any help would be very much appreciated

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I would recommend that you not take the eggs out to your BR hen unless she is a proven broody. Hatching chicks can be disturbing to a new mother (watching their face is actually pretty funny...some jump and quiver at the odd sounds and movements down under).

Even with experienced hens, hens need to sit for a week at the minimum, two by far being the best, until their hormones are sufficiently "deep" into the brood that they are ready to accept chicks. Sooner than that, you risk the hen rejecting the chicks or simply giving up on the project.

Some hens are excellent mothers after a few days of showing you they mean business. (Typically a Silkie or such). Many large fowl hens need the extra time to settle.

You can try a sacrificial egg, but you've got pipping, so generally lock down means lock down and no movement.

You can try to place the chicks in a couple of days at night and see if your hen accepts them...but again, she may not have been broody long enough for her hormone levels to be in that stage yet....but that would be the safer route than interrupting hatch.

My experiences.
LofMc

 

[rambler4681]

Thanks I appreciate the quick reply. I am not 100% sure she means business but I am getting there. She hasn't left the best in days and when I try to get eggs from her side she lets out This demonic gurgle sound.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Those are good signs.

I still recommend that you not interrupt the eggs in this delicate phase as they are in lock down so that the chicks can get into position for hatching.

After they all hatch and have dried off, which should give you a couple of days, you can then place the chicks under the hen.

I would recommend using only a red light to keep them warm so they do not become accustomed to bright light to stay warm, or use a heating pad. That way you'll condition them to expect to go under the hen for heat.

Fostering can be more tricky from the chick side than the hen side. Even with mom willing, many incubator hatched chicks are fearful of the hen and try to run away from her.

Place under her tail at night, shielding what you are doing with one hand so that you place in a scoop under her tail with as little fuss as possible.

Then stay by and watch to make sure the little chicks are staying with mum, and mum is fine with it all too. Ideally she'll look at you as this evil person trying to steal her chicks, and the chicks will snuggle down tight.

Check again in the morning after things look good at night. Keep watch over the next day or two. I find escapees happen often on day 2. By day 3, everyone should be happily settled.

Good luck,
LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Another trick I've used is to keep a couple of eggs so the hen stays put, then place a single "test" chick...you can use the oldest after it has dried.

See how that goes, then slowly place chicks as they hatch and dry, usually placing the final batch together. Then remove the eggs.

LofMc