Should I be present when broody mama's chicks hatch?

[iwiw60]

They are getting big already!! So happy for you!

 

[kubotafoot]

I always have a light on in the brood area. Chickens can't see in the dark and I want them to be what I consider very safe during hatch. My broody likes the light. She yells if I forget it. As for wanting to help......Nice and kind thought, but don't. Survival of the fittest.....If a chick can't make it out of the egg on its own, it really isn't going to be a very strong possibility for future living. Sounds harsh, but we've learned. Helped one out of the egg as it was having troubles. Mother kept it with others, but it died soon on in. Mother really does know best.
As for hen being awake.....They seem in a trance when brooding, but once that peep comes from inside the egg, they wake right up and somehow instinct tells them what to do. Best of luck with your beautiful girl. They are a wonder!

 

[iwiw60]

Great post...good advice!!

 

[talkingriver]

kubotafoot, Thanks so much for your input. I did know about not interfering if there was trouble with the hatch itself; I guess I was concerned about the possibility of an egg not being fertile, and breaking on the others as mama moved around. I know I'd have had to clean that up lest it smother the other eggs. I didn't add a light, but they all seemed to hatch during the day when I was at work this time. I'll remember that for next time though. Anyway, four healthy chicks hatched two weeks ago and everybody has done fine!

 

[Skibuny73]

That's cute! I live my broody hens! (By the way, she does look like an Easter Egger...Auracana don't have beard/muffs like Ameraucana, they have tufts, and Auracana don't have tails...She doesn't look like Ameraucana coloring...hence Easter Egger...go to ameraucana.org for more info).

 

[talkingriver]

Skibuny73, I always wondered about those differences, because hatcheries don't seem to know either. I bought Slipper as an Araucana. In a prior year, I bought two Ameraucanas and two Araucanas from a different place, and two had face fluff and two didn't -- but they all had tails. It doesn't matter to me, really; I just like the blue eggs. But thanks for clarifying.

 

[Skibuny73]

You're welcome! I don't mean to pick at what people say or think, but being a real Ameraucana breeder, it's frustrating how hatcheries are misleading people about Easter Eggers vs Ameraucana vs Araucana. There really are big distinct differences between them all.

 

[robinfox]

My chicken jumped up on the bed, made some noises under my pillow and laid her egg there. Thats the best first egg from a chicken that you love and raised from a chick. Either way, in the coop or in the house, its a blessed event for her!

 

[iwiw60]

My chicken jumped up on the bed, made some noises under my pillow and laid her egg there. Thats the best first egg from a chicken that you love and raised from a chick. Either way, in the coop or in the house, its a blessed event for her!

YAY!!!!