New momma hen won’t care for late hatchlings

[iamgranny]

I have a one year old hen who was sitting on 17 eggs. 8 hatched around the same time several days ago. The rest of the eggs are hatching now but she isn’t taking care of them. She let one die right beside her nest and this morning there was another one shivering and separated from the others. Should I remove the rest of the eggs and put in the box with the chick I brought in this morning?

 

[sourland]

Hens are biologically programmed to leave the nest within 24 to 36 hours of the first chick hatching. This is so that the chicks can access feed and water. Most will not set longer than this. This is the problem with staggered hatches. I would take the eggs and attempt to keep them warm enough to hatch. Good luck.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Yes. Her focus is on the ones that hatched warliest. To her, the eggs that didn't hatch died, and these hatchlings bow aren't hers

 

[swampfox440]

Welcome to BYC ! Good luck with the hatch .

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
That is common with staggered hatches. That's why it's so important to set all the eggs at the same time and remove eggs that are laid in the nest when the broody is off the nest.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC! As heartbreaking as it is, that is her nature. The survival of the first chicks hatched is her priority.

If you allow her to hatch again, be sure to mark and date your set eggs and remove any new eggs each day. You'll have a better hatch rate is you section off her nest so that other hens can't disturb the eggs.

Best of luck with your little rescues!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!

Pull up a roost & enjoy your time here!

 

[FlipFlopFarmer6279]

Good Luck!

 

[Grammy60]

Hello and welcome to BYC We are happy you have joined our community. Best of luck with hatching the rest

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us