- May 2, 2010
- 132
- 1
- 109
Hello,
Yesterday 5 chicks hatched under our hen. One egg did not. 12 hours later, it was cracked but still not hatched and mama and newborn chicks were starting to walk around. We stupidly assumed the last egg was not going to hatch. Mama hen left it uncovered over night and we didn't think much of it. This morning I was cleaning the coop and low and behold heard a cheaping coming from the egg which was now covered with ants. I tried to put it under the mama but she is up and around with her babies, eating, drinking, etc... so that didn't work. Ants began to go inside the crack, which was now bigger. For better or for worse, we did what we thought was best and helped the egg to continue to hatch. We brushed the ants off what was clearly a slightly immature chick. We put her under a heat lamp and she seems to be doing better all the time. In the last hours she has fluffed up a little and opening her eyes. But clearly, she is not ready to join the others. I have been holding her all morning as that is where she is happiest now that she is conscious. When do u think i can put her with the mama and other chicks and should i offer her food anytime soon?
Yesterday 5 chicks hatched under our hen. One egg did not. 12 hours later, it was cracked but still not hatched and mama and newborn chicks were starting to walk around. We stupidly assumed the last egg was not going to hatch. Mama hen left it uncovered over night and we didn't think much of it. This morning I was cleaning the coop and low and behold heard a cheaping coming from the egg which was now covered with ants. I tried to put it under the mama but she is up and around with her babies, eating, drinking, etc... so that didn't work. Ants began to go inside the crack, which was now bigger. For better or for worse, we did what we thought was best and helped the egg to continue to hatch. We brushed the ants off what was clearly a slightly immature chick. We put her under a heat lamp and she seems to be doing better all the time. In the last hours she has fluffed up a little and opening her eyes. But clearly, she is not ready to join the others. I have been holding her all morning as that is where she is happiest now that she is conscious. When do u think i can put her with the mama and other chicks and should i offer her food anytime soon?
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