Oh my, what on earth have I gotten us all into???

[aliris]

OK, you've written a lot in one post, so I'll tackle them one at a time as I can.

First, you've done great, but are now coming into the lockdown phase, where she will stop turning the eggs and just sit tight until they hatch. Do not disturb her or the eggs henceforth; just let her get on with it and trust her instincts. If you interfere with the orientation of the eggs during the hatch, you could kill the chick inside. They are getting into position to start breathing in the air sac and then break out through the membrane and shell. Just leave them alone.

She does not need to get off to eat, drink or poop while the hatch is ongoing, though she may feel the urge for any of those things and if she can satisfy them quickly, she will. So put fresh clean water nearby and don't worry about food and poop; let her decide when and if to get off the eggs from now. She will maintain the right temperature and humidity for the hatching chicks. Do not lift her off.

OK, makes sense. I'm worried now, I did lift a couple eggs, then it occurred to me - yikes, what if they're oriented one proper way. Being a bad aunt here! But... hopefully it's early enough yet. I was wondering if there were peeps.

 

[aliris]

Hot and no smell sounds fine. They lose weight during incubation.

Stop the other hens getting in now. They can fatally disrupt the hatch too.

Ah, ok. Didn't realize that. Will do. Should I pull them out now, at night, or let them just hop down in the morning... Might be easier now and probably in the morning they might go snooping.

...and it was. Totally easy. They've been kicked off the island. A bit of bipping as in 'what what what what what'? but I'm sure they'll get over it! Everyone's outside, that door is closed. In the morning, they'll go outside, their food will too and the gate will open for the broody should she wish to relieve herself, else the palace is hers.

 

[aliris]

You don't need to rush with that. The last stage of development is absorption of the yolk, which will feed the chick for 3 days or thereabouts, a mechanism that evolved to ensure early hatched chicks have sustenance while waiting for the late hatching chicks in the clutch.
The one that will really need food is the broody. When she brings them off the nest, make her your priority.
A shallow bowl of water with marbles or little stones in it will stop chicks drowning in it.

lol that's a piece of equipment I actually have, I love it. A small metal trough that a ball jar screws into. phew. one thing off the list. I'm going to see if I can gently remove the hens now while everyone's catatonic.

 

[aliris]

OK so - fortunately no cheeping yet, I think I'm in time to stop with the fiddling. I did notice, though, that the eggs were propped upwards and not on their sides, mostly, today. Is that their hatch orientation? I have been listening and not hearing anything. When I show up the momma does a lot of bupping at me. She's probably saying "back off".

 

[aliris]

We have a blessed event!!!! Hard to see and I just lifted this from a movie so bad quality. But there's at least one little chipping. I thought I heard the faintest of chirps this morning... it actually sounded "under water" which of course... lol. Makes sense. And, as it happens, was probably right!

 

[aliris]

Can someone please post a link to a thread about what to do once they're hatched?!?! I must have to do something, vaccinate? medicate water?? I do see people worry about drowning birds but I have a metal waterer that just doesn't seem to result in deep water, I think that's ok. And I bought some commercial chick starter, though haven't offered it yet but will in the morning. There's a real racket in there! Don't know how many, can't wait to meet them but mama's not budging and I'm not about to move her, that's for sure! The aunties are all very subdued, lol.

Thank you! I can't quite figure out how to manage this forum/site and find this info specifically but I am certain there are multiple such threads....

 

[Perris]

this is good
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-letting-broody-hens-hatch-and-raise-chicks.65989/
jump down to the section on hatch onwards

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

Let her do her thing. Mama knows best

 

[TexasTurkeyMama]

Good morning! Your hatchlings do not need the same support as incubated hatchlings because their incubator--Mommy--is the superior instrument. Just be ready with food and water for Mommy and chicks!

 

[MountainWoman73]

Enjoy, and send us pictures when you can get some! We love chicks.