Newly hatched chicks, but Mom's not doing anything?!

[SummerSaige]

Hi all! So I've had chickens for a couple of years, but chick hatching is unfamiliar territory for me. My banty hen just hatched her first eggs this morning. They popped out of the eggs and my banty, Suzi, just tucked them underneath her and has been sitting there all day.Is this what hens normally when their chicks first hatch? Do they keep them warm for the first day and then go foraging on the second day? Don't the chicks need to eat? Thanks for putting up with my newbie questions. I'd appreciate all the help I can get!

 

[nchls school]

Hi all! So I've had chickens for a couple of years, but chick hatching is unfamiliar territory for me. My banty hen just hatched her first eggs this morning. They popped out of the eggs and my banty, Suzi, just tucked them underneath her and has been sitting there all day.Is this what hens normally when their chicks first hatch? Do they keep them warm for the first day and then go foraging on the second day? Don't the chicks need to eat? Thanks for putting up with my newbie questions. I'd appreciate all the help I can get!

When the chicks are ready the hen will bring them out to eat and drink; and that is when the chicks become active.

 

[Peeps61]

When the chicks are ready the hen will bring them out to eat and drink; and that is when the chicks become active.

The chicks don't need to eat or drink right away. This is so the entire clutch of eggs has time to hatch. After 2 - 3 days, the hen will abandon the nest and take the chicks out to forage and get water.