Trying to Hatch Eggs from Deceased Hen...

[Perris]

Thank you! Debbie took her chicks out earlier while the others were free-ranging and taught them how to eat and drink. Buttercup caught on right away but Maevyn wasn't really paying attention. I dipped her beak in the water several times but she only drank the drops she got from the dips. I guess she isn't thirsty? I also noticed that Debbie has been in a sunbathing position sometimes when she is in the nestbox with the chicks. Is this okay? It is really hot but the chicks don't seem to be bothered by it.

she will be trying to regulate the temperature and humidity for the chicks, as they are unable to do it for themselves as yet. Are you dealing with extreme weather there as in so many places as the moment?

 

[The Chick Addict]

she will be trying to regulate the temperature and humidity for the chicks, as they are unable to do it for themselves as yet. Are you dealing with extreme weather there as in so many places as the moment?

Yes, it is so very hot.

 

[Perris]

Then try to ensure that they have cool fresh water at all times and deep shade to rest in.

 

[Firsttimehens1234]

Also, the chicks are still learning their legs and are very tired. Mama has not taught them how to eat or drink yet. But they are still very small and are always napping. I think she might teach them tomorrow. Do they usually learn right when they are born?

My hen waited around 30 hours before she took them out of the nest to eat and drink. The egg yolk that they absorb gives them food for around 48 hours so no worries

 

[SmiYa0126]

Also, the chicks are still learning their legs and are very tired. Mama has not taught them how to eat or drink yet. But they are still very small and are always napping. I think she might teach them tomorrow. Do they usually learn right when they are born?

They should be eating and drinking in two days of being born.

 

[The Chick Addict]

Thank you all! They have plenty of chick food and water available for them and their nesting box is very shady. Thankfully, today is a very nice, overcast cool day. Debbie is a great mama! Waffles, her broody partner when she tried to hatch eggs last year, came to check out the chicks. Debbie thought she had come far enough and she attacked her! Spurred her and all. She even grabbed onto her wing and she dragged her a-ways. Then my cat came close by and had a very greedy look in her eyes. Debbie saw that and ran at her. Rainbow learned her lesson. She is such a great mama! Here are some pictures of her with the chicks:

 

[The Chick Addict]

Thank you all! They have plenty of chick food and water available for them and their nesting box is very shady. Thankfully, today is a very nice, overcast cool day. Debbie is a great mama! Waffles, her broody partner when she tried to hatch eggs last year, came to check out the chicks. Debbie thought she had come far enough and she attacked her! Spurred her and all. She even grabbed onto her wing and she dragged her a-ways. Then my cat came close by and had a very greedy look in her eyes. Debbie saw that and ran at her. Rainbow learned her lesson. She is such a great mama! Here are some pictures of her with the chicks:View attachment 3601115View attachment 3601116View attachment 3601117

The first two pictures are Debbie with Maevyn on her back and Buttercup on her side. Buttercup deeply resembles Restauraunt and she has white boots like her father. In the last one, Buttercup went under Debbie while Maevyn is still on her back. I'm not sure if you can see Maevyn well but she is very deep ebony black that is the most beautiful black I have ever seen. I believe her father is Bootleg. He is a black Silkie and I read that black Silkie genes are more dominant. Her beak has red like Restauraunt. The odd thing is Maevyn has muffs like an Easter Egger. I don't have any muffed breeds and when Bootleg was a chick he did not have muffs, neither did Restauraunt. Any ideas? They sure are cute though! I am so grateful the hatch went well and I will try to get better pictures of each chick later!

 

[The Chick Addict]

UPDATE: Both Maevyn and Buttercup have both been thriving. Debbie has already weaned them and is laying eggs again. She still sleeps next to them at night and hangs out with them but she keeps to herself mostly. Maevyn ended up being a pullet and her father is my sister's Golden Laced Polish Crested roo. Her mom was not Restauraunt but my sister's Black Australorp, Tussle. Buttercup is a cockerel and I have decided to keep his name. His father is my White Cochin Bantam roo who passed away from heat stroke on the day they hatched. And his mother is Restauraunt!!!! He has become such a sweetie pie and I noticed that my cockerels keep their temperament as adults so I'm hoping the same will be for him. Maevyn is sweet but skittish and likes to do her own thing. Buttercup loves cuddles and hanging out with us. They both spend time together alot and are pals.
Here is Maevyn the black chick, and Buttercup is the red one.

 

[gimmie birdies]

One time I had a rooster i loved he was a bantam EE. I had 2 other roosters that took him out. I saved 3 eggs, (I don't know why I only saved 3 at the time, but I was new to hatching.) I took them from the fridge. All 3 hatched but only one was fertile by him. The one he fertilized was with a silky. She was a great hen.