Should I give the chicks water and food yet?

[jen61871]

Hi. I have chicks hatching under hens and one chick was hatched yesterday and three more so far.
I am thinking I should give the chicks food and water but the hen is still sitting on the remaining three eggs. I'm afraid of I put food and water in the coop that she will stop sitting on the remaining eggs?
Can somebody tell me what to do?
Thanks!!!!!

 

[Finnie]

Yes, put food and water out for the chicks. Shouldn’t have any effect on the broody’s behavior. Doesn’t she have access to food and water anyway? Just make sure the chicks can reach it and not drown.

I like to use vertical nipples for a week or so and then switch to horizontal nipples.

 

[jen61871]

Yes, put food and water out for the chicks. Shouldn’t have any effect on the broody’s behavior. Doesn’t she have access to food and water anyway? Just make sure the chicks can reach it and not drown.

I like to use vertical nipples for a week or so and then switch to horizontal nipples.

Thank you for replying to my question. Yes the momma has food and water but it's not in the coop. As soon as I saw your reply I immediately took it for and water, realized that another chick had hatched because momma got right to teaching them to eat and drink. But-you were right she was sitting on seven eggs and 6 have hatched and I could see when she got up for a minute that the last egg looked like it was pipping. Wasn't sure if it was Alice or not but she is back sitting on that egg so maybe I will go out tomorrow morning to a really successful hatch. I will be amazed if all 7 chicks hatch!
I also have another momma sitting on 8 eggs and as far as I can see (she pecks harder then the other hen lol) she has hatched out one so far. But I did put food and water in that coop for the one chick and again you were right, mom stayed sitting on the eggs. I hope I go out tomorrow morning to go out and find more chicks hatched.
I have had chickens for 9 years now and have gotten chickens every way you can from ordering online to incubating to letting the hens hatch out chicks every year- but for some reason I forgot what to do lol
I couldn't capture all six chicks at once but here are a few pictures. Their so cute!
Also the white mom is a silkie and a good few years old. I don't know if she even lays eggs anymore, but every year she wants to sit on eggs. So these chicks could be a mix of a lot. I have two roosters (regular sized) and they all free range all day. I do have three coops that are all enclosed runs for new chicks until their old enough to free range.
Sorry for the book. I could talk chickens all day