STAGGERED HATCH UNDER TWO DIFFERENT HENS

[crazychick52]

I have two hens that are laying on approximately 10 eggs each in a nesting box. They were laid by different hens in the flock and they were all days apart from each other. The two hens have been sitting on them loyally. I went out and candled them tonight and it looks like 5-6 are going to hatch any minute. The others look like they are developing they are days behind. Once the eggs hatch do I just leave the babies in the nesting box with the hen? They are up in the air...how will the babies get food and water? Could I put all the babies under one hen and let the other hen lay on all the eggs? Also, should I remove the eggs that look like duds or leave them in the nesting box? I need help ~ I obviously don't know what I am doing...

 

[crazychick52]

Can someone help me?

 

[WVduckchick]

Not an experienced brooder here, but from what I've read, you could have moved her and the nest. Now that they are nearing hatching, I'm not sure if its advisable or not. How far apart are the nests? And are the hens swapping nests or staying on their own? Do they get along with each other?

 

[crazychick52]

They are in nesting boxes next door to each other but they are up in the air.. They get along and have taken turns laying on each other's eggs.

 

[WVduckchick]

If you have a safe place on the ground, I think they can be moved, but I'd wait for someone else to chime in. I'm worried that at this late stage, the mommas may quit sitting.
Maybe you could move the ones that are close to hatching down, and if that momma quits, you could put the eggs back up with the other momma? How far up are they?

 

[crazychick52]

They are 3' up in the air

 

[WVduckchick]

I'm going to link your thread in another thread that gets alot of views and ask for other help. I'm not sure how to best advise you...

 

[crazychick52]

Thank you.. Any help is appreciated!!

 

[RubyNala97]

Mama will get the babies down safe. I'm not an expert here either but I take care of my neighbors chickens with broodies, each weekend. His nest boxes are 3-4 feet up too. Can you put hay on the ground for a soft landing? That's not even necessary but may give you piece of mind. These past two weekends I've dealt with two broody hatches a week apart. I took the eggs left from the first hatch and put them under the second broody after the first mom got up and moved the babies down to the ground. (Thanks to advice I got here). Next weekend the second batch hatched and I put both mamas and all the babies in one hutch and they are all doing great. Both mamas care for 20 chicks that are a week apart. .

 

[sjturner79]

If there is a lip that is more than 1.5 inch high at the front of the box you can leave them . Although is is not good to move eggs in the last few days before hatch if you don't have the ready to hatch under 1 hen and the less ready under the other they will probably get off whatever eggs are left 2-3 days after first hatch for each of them.

If there are no lips on the front of the nests I would put the ready eggs and whichever hen has been sitting longest on the floor somewhere.

Either way you will need a nest at or near ground level with a bit of a ramp for the hens and chicks to live in for the first few weeks.