One day old chick several days behind the other with a broody...

[zowieyellowflame]

A broody has 7 chicks, all her own. 6 were born 3, 5 and 6 days ago. The last one was an egg I thought was no good so I put it in the incubator. When it hatched, the chick was peeping and crying like crazy so I presented it to the broody. She took it, that was last night.
Today, this morning, mom walked a foot away to do food lessons for the other 6, also lessons in scratching. The day old cried and cried, she ignored it for about 15 min. Then the day old waddled down to the feeding area and he got in the way of moms vigorous scratching and kind of was thrown a few inches. Does not seem hurt though.
While he was out there, mom returned to the nest. He cried, he didn't know what to do until finally he approached her. She pecked him a touch.... not hurtful, I think she was teaching him something and then he climbed in under her.
Who thinks I should let all of this be and who thinks I should take him out and raise him all ALONE? I will have more chicks but not for 2 weeks or more. I was worried too that he was cold...... it is only about 58 or 60 here this morning.

 

[La Banan]

Hi! I think you should leave mama hen to raise the wee one. But I REALLY have no idea and the real reason I'm posting is because we just went outside to check the eggs under our brooody hen, Crow, and found a chick and one pipped!
And furthermore I live in Nova Scotia so when I saw your thing I had to write. How soon does one put out food and water for the wee ones. She's in a small dog carrier on the floor and can get in and out but not sure where to put water and food that won't be swamped with shavings.
Oh never mind, we'll figure it out. Mostly I'm just so excited because we thought the eggs were a bust cuz she got trapped outside for an indeterminite amount of time and the eggs seemed cold. So Yay!!!
Jan in Prospect Bay, NS

 

[little white]

I think you should leave the little one with the mama too... It wouldn't be as happy being raised all alone.
My broody is sitting on an egg due to hatch in two days. Question: I've heard that pine shavings are not good bedding for a chick because it could eat them and die. But it sounds like many people use pine shavings. Any thoughts? I don't want to completely change the mama's bedding to straw right now because it might freak her out.

 

[zowieyellowflame]

Hi Jan, that is really cool! My hen also got trapped off her nest for several hrs, the eggs were stone cold. I let her continue to sit just to amuse herself, and low and behold, I have 7 chicks from her! Don't throw away any eggs until you do the warm water trick.
From what I know, chicks need food and water after about a day, definately after 2 days. They recently absorbed the yoke so they are fine for a long while. And I would put the food and water just outside her door maybe. I think she would take the chicks to it when it is time. I also held the dishes of food and water infront of my broody hens for a few minutes a few times a day so they could eat and drink. Broody will get off to do this but I think they enjoyed the pampering.
La Banan, I am going to create a new post to determine if that is true about shavings. We need this answered!
I have left the chick with her ma. The mom has adapted to the situation. She is now nesting kind of amongst the food and water so that the older ones can enjoy and the little one can be underneath. I am so happy!