Surprise hatch of 9 baby Barred Rocks

[ChickenRaunchy]

I am a fairly new flock mama, and we got a delightful surprise on Father's day this year ... one of our Barred Rock hens that had been missing for a few weeks, and assumed to be a goner due to predator, reappeared with 9 babies that looked to be a couple of days old. Her secret location was the culvert pipe under our driveway, at the very front of our property. She chose an excellent spot, well hidden and insulated with tons of leaves that had blown in over the winter. All the chicks survived and she was an excellent mother. We moved her back into the main coop, although she and babies stayed in one of the big metal tubs until they were able to jump/fly out on their own. They are now indepedent of mom and everything is fine. But here's my newbie question ... if she only lays an egg a day, how do we get 9 all hatching at the same time? Also (and this question is rhetorical but love your thoughts) ... how does an animal with a head/brain the size of an apricot come up with all the squawks, grunts and growls to keep those babies close, and never lost track of one of them. She tucked them all under her wings to sleep. She just knew how to be a mom. The longer I have chickens the more I am in awe of them.

 

[NatJ]

But here's my newbie question ... if she only lays an egg a day, how do we get 9 all hatching at the same time?

The hen lays one egg each day in a nest, and they just sit there without developing.

Then she starts to sit on the nest, and they all start to develop at the same time. That way they all hatch at the same time, as you saw.

Many wild birds do the same thing, which is how you can see a mother duck or goose or quail with a whole bunch of babies the same age. Or parents feeding a nestful of baby robins that are all the same age.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Exactly! They lay the eggs but don't start sitting on them 24/7 until they have a "clutch," or what they consider to be a full nest. That way they all start developing the same day. They're okay at room (or natural) temperature for several days, just like you can leave unwashed eggs on your counter for up to two weeks without loss of quality. Ain't nature grand? How does the hen know that!