Silkie is hatching eggs for me. Have ?? about new chick in trouble.

[fjorddreamer]

I have two broody Silkies right now. Each was sitting on five eggs, all due to hatch around the same time. One hen has already hatched two. The other hen, who I checked just a few hours ago, still didn't have anything going on. No obvious cracks or anything on any of the eggs. We just went out after supper to fresh feed and water and check on the hens. I opened the nest box and was very surprised to find a new, wet, chick, about 6 inches away from the hen. The shell was further away. It was still curled up and not moving, and wet so I was so disappointed to find it dead. When I went to pick it up to dispose of it, I couldn't believe it but it moved. Its mouth opened and closed several times and it moved its legs some. It felt quite cool. I don't know whether Mama Hen didn't know what to do with it, or if she kicked it out of the nest, or what, but she certainly hadn't been keeping it warm and she seemed oblivious to the whole thing. So, we didn't know if there is a chance for this chick or not. I would think not, however, I've never seen a chick immediately after hatching. Maybe they do just lie there for awhile??!!! I don't know. I need opinions. Anyway, what we did was slip the chick under the other hen that hatched two chicks yesterday and is still sitting on more eggs. I didn't know if it was the right thing to do, or not. I know she will be good to it. I'm not worried about that. Is there a chance that it will warm up and dry off and possibly live?????? Help, please, with your experiences and opinions. If it doesn't live, will Mama hen just push it out of the nest. Will I find it dead like that later?

 

[fjorddreamer]

Does anyone have any advice or opinions for me?

 

[Lolliegee]

I think you probably did the right thing, I sure hope your chick makes it. Hopefully, someone else here will respond too. There are so many very knowledgeable people on this forum. Please keep us updated.

 

[FenDruadin]

I wish I could help, but all I can say is that I think you did the right thing too. And I think there's a chance it will be fine--I have heard tales of chicks and ducks getting chilled to the very edge of death, and then bouncing back just fine once they were warmed and cared for. And yes, they are usually pretty floppy right after hatching, so I wouldn't worry about that part. If it doesn't make it, the mama hen will know what to do with it.

I'd love to hear an update when you can.

 

[fjorddreamer]

Hi,

Thanks for your input. I appreciate hearing from someone. Unfortunately, when I checked the next morning, the little chick was dead and was still in the same spot I put it under the hen. I had moved all the eggs from one hen to the other hen, who had already hatched two. The good news is that she has since hatched two more. So, I've got four sweet chicks, and still four more eggs that could possibly hatch. Meanwhile, the other hen has no eggs, but she doesn't know the difference. I just felt that something had gone wrong with her as the chick was several inches away from the hen when I found it and she had obviously not tried to keep it warm. Anyway, my other hen is still doing great and the chicks are adorable.

Thanks!