My broody hen hatched 4 live Keets and 1 stillborn that we removed. Because of some behavior issues, we had to move other eggs over to her, which she is happily sitting on. My concern is the first chicks hatched 2 days ago and are already gaining some size. What happens to any that come out in the next few days when they will be smaller? These eggs all came fertilized from the same company, were sent one day after being laid, and I’ve maintained the same environment for all of them. I don’t understand how there can be a multi-day gap between hatching.
On the other side, the males now get along better than ever and work as their tiny team. They seem very interested in the little guys in the other run and, once they reach 4 weeks old, I will let one out with me standing there and the keet having a narrow escape route. I’m hoping they will accept the keets and incorporate them, and now I’m hoping for all males so they stopping picking at each other like before! I don’t quite know what to do with their broody hen mom since she has no flock and she really enjoys their company. Maybe house them with her and just let the current gang get together with them while the keets are out for their hour or two a day?
