Surrogate hatcher after chick has pipped????

[ladyfarmer00]

I have a hen who hatched off 4 chicks over a period of 4 days. For some reason she had a straggler who pipped after she left the nest today. I tried to give it back to her and she buried him in the hay and frantically tried to get away for more than an hour so then I tried to give it to another hen who was supposed to hatch off in the next 2 days and she wasn't having any of it. She even pecked at him through the hole where his Beak was showing through. I have another hen who is a gentle soul who will usually take any eggs given to her and everyone else's Nest as well so I put him under her well to the back but he keeps chirping and it seems to be disturbing her greatly. She's moving a lot and rearranging her eggs but so far hasn't tried to Peck him. Right now I'm just watching her but I'm unsure of what else I should do if anything. I don't have an incubator to put him in but I do have regular heat lamps would I be better off trying to put him under a heat lamp? Thanks for any advice you can give me. I also want to add that she seems to be a little happier now and is pulling the hay off around her and rearranging her nest and making happy noises so fingers crossed. At least he has heat right now!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

You may want to try to assist hatch (which can help or not) then leave him with the gentle hen and hope for the best.

By now, he is probably "shrink wrapped" meaning his membranes have dried and he is having an awful time getting out of the shell, which is why he is so noisy.

Or you can simply cross your fingers and see if he can chip his way out while the hen settles.

It is a tricky situation and the problem with staggered eggs.

LofMc

 

[ladyfarmer00]

You may want to try to assist hatch (which can help or not) then leave him with the gentle hen and hope for the best.

By now, he is probably "shrink wrapped" meaning his membranes have dried and he is having an awful time getting out of the shell, which is why he is so noisy.

Or you can simply cross your fingers and see if he can chip his way out while the hen settles.

It is a tricky situation and the problem with staggered eggs.

LofMc

 

[ladyfarmer00]

He's out!! Surrogate mama is being very gentle yet protective of him

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I'm so glad you had success with the gentle hen. Since she is still sitting on eggs, you will need to watch to make sure momma gets up in 2 days to feed and water baby, or have food and water close by (but not able to dump in her nest). If the chick can get to them without too much problem finding its way back, I've extended broods and fostered chicks until the hatching chicks caught up.

Congratulations again.
LofMc

 

[ladyfarmer00]

I'm so glad you had success with the gentle hen. Since she is still sitting on eggs, you will need to watch to make sure momma gets up in 2 days to feed and water baby, or have food and water close by (but not able to dump in her nest). If the chick can get to them without too much problem finding its way back, I've extended broods and fostered chicks until the hatching chicks caught up.

Congratulations again.
LofMc

I will do this. Thank you so much!