Time between first hatch and last hatch-will be putting chicks under a broody

[helenbk1966]

We had 13 eggs that candles as fertile at day 10-12. 3 hatched yesterday day 21, 2 hatched over night Day 22. Several more have pips. I have read here and elsewhere that you don't want to give up before day 25.

At what point do you need to take the first chicks out of the bator and pop them under the broody? How long will she continue to accept chicks? This hen cheerfully adopted 5 chicks from southern states about 8 weeks ago and then went broody again just as we put the eggs in the bator.

Surely the first chicks can't sit in there for 4 days? But I never ever ever want to brood chicks in the house again. The last batch which we received in error from Meyer arrived 5 stinking days before she went broody and they made a huge mess.

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[sumi]

Once the chicks are dry and fluffed up, you can remove them from the incubator and put them under the broody. Don't leave them in there for 4 days

Your hen MAY accept the rest of the chicks at a later stage, when they hatch. I've had hens adopt younger ones when they already had a clutch, but it's impossible to predict how a hen is going to react. Some are "the more the merrier" kinda moms, others are not keen on strange babies. I hope it will work out well for you.

On a side note, brooding chicks outside the house is an option. Have a look here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/yes-you-certainly-can-brood-chicks-outdoors

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...rooder-and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors

 

[helenbk1966]

Thanks! Excellent info on outdoor brooding!