new chick this morning take out shells for mamma?

[dab045]

I have hatched or my girl has hatched our first chick. We have always bought our chicks so not sure if I should clean up or anythign

 

[Julie08]

Congrats!! no need to clean anything up just let her adjust.

 

[dab045]

Thank you! Im soooo eggcited. My silkie did so good but not sure if was supose to get anything out of the way, now do I make sure the little one drinks or does the mamma get the little one out of the nest when its time to show her how to drink and eat?

 

[Kittymomma]

Momma will take care of it. Just make sure that you have chick appropriate feed and a water set up that's not deep enough for the chick to drown. Don't be alarmed if momma hen doesn't do anything for a day or so, they'll usually sit tight for a day or even two until everything that's going to hatch is out and then they'll take the whole clutch to food and water.

 

[kybeagle]

I've never raised chicks before, what happens when the momma jumps down from the nest box that is 18 inches off the ground? Do the chicks just bail out and hit the ground?

 

[dab045]

ohh good question. Ok so if I have eggs that are maybe 3 days from hatching will this little guy that has already hatched be ok to not drink until then? And good one about having the water not to deep thank you. There in a house that mamma and family will have to walk down a plank maybe 12 inches sloaped downward. Man didnt think about that. I cant wait to get home to see if another one hatched.

 

[Kittymomma]

Ohhh, I move mine before it gets to that point. I'd keep an eye on things and when she's done just move the whole little family. The chicks would probably be ok with the jump, but you don't want to take any chances. Also, one chick is going to get brave before the others and you don't want mom leaving potentially wet chicks to care for the renegade or have her leave the renegade to the not so tender mercies of the rest of the flock and/or the elements.

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
If you put eggs in after she had been setting for a day or two she'll probably abandon them before they hatch. She'll hang on the nest for 24-48 hours after the hatch starts and then leave it to care for the chicks so if you kept adding eggs (or the other hens did) you'll either need to remove chicks as they hatch and hope that she'll stay put until the rest come out or you'll need to put the eggs that are a few days behind in an incubator and let mom care for the original clutch.