New mum

[laren]

Hi all, I'm a new member, it's only taken me 2 hours to find this page. So far, so good. I have a hen sitting on eggs, the last time she pecked the little one to death, this time she's on 12 eggs. Yesterday, by 13h00 two had hatched, I went to check on them a few hours later and they had been suffocated?! I've been checking the remaining eggs all day and no sign of anything, how long before the other eggs hatch and should I remove the remaining eggs?

 

[BantyChooks]

hello and

if she has killed the chicks, she shouldnt be alowed to sit on eggs again. some hens will always kill their babies.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/search?q=broody

this link has some very good info on how to care for, break, and broodies that kill their babies. Good luck!

 

[laren]

Hi Bubbles, that's heartbreaking

Thanks for that.

 

[drumstick diva]

Take the remaining eggs away- can you borrow an incubator from someone? If they are so close to hatch maybe you could get by with a heat lamp. The hen should be the next guest of honor at dinner - in the stew pot.

 

[BantyChooks]

Hi Bubbles, that's heartbreaking

Thanks for that.

yeah... I hope you find a good solution. What drumstick diva said is really the best thing you can do.

 

[laren]

Hi both, I'll get the incubator ready, thanks diva drumstick and bubbles. How long before they should start hatching? Rough guess?

 

[BantyChooks]

how long have they been incubating? are they in lockdown stage yet? if they are, be very careful moving them, and don't flip them as the chick is getting oriented for hatching. Goodluck!!!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[BantyChooks]

@laren how long have the eggs been there? it generally takes 21 days for them to hatch, but a few days more or less is not uncommon.

 

[laren]

@bubbles, the first two hatched right on time, 21 days exactly! I hope I haven't killed the rest by moving them. I'll be absolutely gutted