The babies are coming soon!!

[rosemarysugar]

We are on day 20 and I'm wondering, will the mom get off the eggs when the pipping starts? Also, is it common for the hen to get more active, as in nest prep as it gets closer?

 

[Ridgerunner]

We are on day 20 and I'm wondering, will the mom get off the eggs when the pipping starts?

No. she will manage temperature and humidity and probably keep them covered pretty well. She will probably get more defensive of the nest too. When the chicks internal pip, long before external pip, the chicks start talking to Mama and she growls back. That starts the bonding between them. It also tells the hen the chicks are on the way so do not leave the nest. She will probably spend the next two or three days on the nest.

Go grab a cup of vanilla ice cream, chop up your favorite fruit to top it, and chill. Mother Nature has this under control. I know, easier said than done. Sometimes it is more stressful for you than it is the hen.

Also, is it common for the hen to get more active, as in nest prep as it gets closer?

I haven't really noticed anything different. What are you seeing that caused you to ask? Each hen is different, each situation is different. Just because we like photos could you post a photo of the nest and hen so we can see your situation.

 

[admill37262]

We just had our first hatch this morning!! Im like a kid in a candy store excited! I thought I had read up enough to prepare myself on what and what not to do. But now that the first chick has hatched I was wondering if its fine for the mother to continue to sit on the baby until the others hatch? She won't suffocate it will she?!

 

[Ridgerunner]

She won't suffocate it will she?!

Are chickens extinct? No, mother hens don't suffocate them on a regular basis. Try to relax a bit.

Welcome to the forum, glad you are here. Hopefully you will never lose the excitement of a hatch but you should soon learn how great a broody hen can be.

 

[admill37262]

Are chickens extinct? No, mother hens don't suffocate them on a regular basis. Try to relax a bit.

Welcome to the forum, glad you are here. Hopefully you will never lose the excitement of a hatch but you should soon learn how great a broody hen can be.

Yes, I definitely agree that I need to relax! lol I have been so obsessed with hatching this first batch of eggs, my husband thinks I've gone crazy I guess im just a little nervous because that is what happened with my sister in laws eggs...the mama hen killed the babies for whatever reason.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That's understandable. I had a broody hen that hatched eight and killed two of them. I have no idea why, that's the only time I've had that happen and I generally have three or four broody hens hatch a year. She did raise the other six chicks fine.

With living animals you don't get guarantees with behaviors. Bad things can happen but they usually don't. I compare it to driving to the grocery store. You can have an accident, fender-bender or serious, but they usually don't.

 

[admill37262]

I had a mama abandon her last chick hatching. I brought it into the incubator this morning and this is what it looks like. Do I need to intervene in any way? I put a damp paper towel in there. Humidity is at 68