Newly Hatched Chicks

[LadyRoost]

So over the past few weeks I realized 2 of my hens went broody and were sharing a nesting box, I decided to let them sit on their eggs and then a few days later my other 4 hens did the same but had made a nest on the coop floor. I wasn't sure about moving their eggs up to the nesting boxes so I let them sit below to not risk the eggs not being sat on. Fast forward I know have approximately 20 new baby chicks who all seem to be happy healthy and being raised by all 6 hens. So far they all seem to be coexisting well, a little fluffed up and chatty when the Rooster comes to check everything out, no fighting or bullying of chicks has been seen. I have a brooder set up just in case I need to move them, but so far it seems to be going well and I will make sure to keep checking on them throughout the coming days. My question is, how long should I wait before removing any eggs that haven't hatched given I don't know the exact lay date for each egg and I have had several chicks hatch a two days apart? (The oldest chicks are now 4 days old) I want to get in there and clean up the coop as soon as possible without stressing out the new mommas too much.

 

[rural mouse]

When mamas abandon the nests.

 

[LadyRoost]

When mamas abandon the nests.

Do you think I should candle the remaining eggs in the nest? Or just wait a few more days and if they abandon the nest remove everything.

 

[rural mouse]

Do you think I should candle the remaining eggs in the nest? Or just wait a few more days and if they abandon the nest remove everything.

At this point, if a mama is still sitting, leave be. Chicks could be in process of hatching and messing with eggs/mama could cause problems (think lockdown time of incubator).

You've got 2 nests, right? Mamas from the 1st nest may be off, abandoning it while the 2nd is still hatching with mamas sitting.

 

[Chicken Heel]

Are these bantam hens? Bantams are the only hens I have had that would share broods together and that has been primarily cochins,

 

[LadyRoost]

At this point, if a mama is still sitting, leave be. Chicks could be in process of hatching and messing with eggs/mama could cause problems (think lockdown time of incubator).

You've got 2 nests, right? Mamas from the 1st nest may be off, abandoning it while the 2nd is still hatching with mamas sitting.

My first two hens are still in the nesting boxes but the floor nest was empty (minus a few eggs still there) this morning with the other 4 hens moving about and showing the little ones where food and water is. If that nest looks like no one returns to it to sit I will clear that one first and leave the two ladies above to sit till they are ready.

 

[LadyRoost]

Are these bantam hens? Bantams are the only hens I have had that would share broods together and that has been primarily cochins,

No surprisingly not! They are my mixed flock. I have a Speckled Sussex, Bresse, Welsummer, Olive Egger mix in there with a Buff Orp Rooster. (We adopted them from a friend who was moving and didn't want to separate them.)

 

[WoDia]

Do you think I should candle the remaining eggs in the nest? Or just wait a few more days and if they abandon the nest remove everything.

Definitely candle the remaining eggs, when you believe they’re finished sitting. Congratulations! I’ve had a few girls leave the nest to tend to hatchlings, while they had a few eggs left that were a little behind in incubation. I finished their hatches in the incubator.