Odds of an "Early Hatch"?

[Anon112]

I have a hen who is sitting on some eggs. They are a mix from different hens, so they were all laid either the day of or the day before she started sitting.

I will be out of town days 15-18.

What, in your experience, are the odds that any of the chicks would hatch on Day 18? I have prepared a "chick kit" for the people watching my animals just in case (chick feed, a waterer that can have stones/marbles added,etc), but it's my first time having a broody hen hatch eggs and obviously I'd like to be here for her. Is it common for chicks to hatch before day 20-21?

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

I don’t think I’ve had any hatch before day 20. They sometimes pip on day 19, but not usually.

A broody hen will usually sit with her brand new chicks for a day after they hatch so having food and water right there isn’t necessary right at the beginning. Once you are sure they have all hatched it’s better to move the food and water a bit away from the hen to encourage her to get up, then she can poop and start to take care of herself after sitting for so long.

 

[Anon112]

I don’t think I’ve had any hatch before day 20. They sometimes pip on day 19, but not usually.

A broody hen will usually sit with her brand new chicks for a day after they hatch so having food and water right there isn’t necessary right at the beginning. Once you are sure they have all hatched it’s better to move the food and water a bit away from the hen to encourage her to get up, then she can poop and start to take care of herself after sitting for so long.

Thank you! I had 21 days firmly in my head, but then one of the people watching the animals for me asked, "What do I do if they hatch while I'm here?" and it suddenly occurred to me that I'd just assumed they wouldn't hatch before day 20-21.

You mention moving the food and water further away from her. I've currently got it about 2 feet from her nest. Should it be closer/close enough she can eat without getting up? It seems that about once a day she gets up to go eat a few bites.

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

Thank you! I had 21 days firmly in my head, but then one of the people watching the animals for me asked, "What do I do if they hatch while I'm here?" and it suddenly occurred to me that I'd just assumed they wouldn't hatch before day 20-21.

You mention moving the food and water further away from her. I've currently got it about 2 feet from her nest. Should it be closer/close enough she can eat without getting up? It seems that about once a day she gets up to go eat a few bites.

The food and water should not be within her reach before the chicks hatch. Two feet away is fine but I’d go further if you can. It’s important for her to get up and stretch her legs and have a big poop far away from the nest. She also needs access to a dust bath while she has her exercise time.

After the chicks have hatched I sometimes put food and water within 2 feet of the mama so the chicks can explore a small area and get food and water without wandering too far. It is not absolutely necessary that the chicks can get to food/water but it’s nice to have it available for mama, even though she probably won’t use it. Once she gets up she will have a big stinky poop and guide all the chicks to food and water. She will want more space then so I spread the food and water out to 4’ or further. That’s a good spacing so you can get a good look at how each chick is walking (check for leg deformities), and check for pasty butt.

I also don’t put stones or anything in the waterers. I maybe see the usefulness of you have a brooder babies but I think it would prevent the hen from getting enough water. I’ve never had a chick drown, and I’ve had hundreds of chicks.