Update: Broody sat overnight, two more hatching today

MrsEarthern

Songster
Aug 15, 2022
182
378
163
Clermont co., Ohio
The broody is below in the run with the now three days old chick, and does not seem interested in the peeps from the hatchlings. The broody and other hens have pecked at the shells, but don't seem to have hurt the chicks.
I was hoping the hatch momma, Lovey, would raise the chicks? What are the odds she accepts them?
They broke shell this afternoon, one is about out and the other has just started.

Edit-
Here's an optimistic update: Lovey went up to the coop a little bit ago and I put the chick up and closed them in. She found the freshly hatched chick and took it right away, she was sounding very pleased. I made sure she was on the other one and she was eating some of the shell but then tucked it up under her.
Hopefully the age gap isn't too much of a problem.
 
Last edited:
Overnight Mid-50's F. Daytime is variable, we've had mostly mid-70's, today it's 80. I am in Southwest Ohio.
Edit: Looks like the forecast calls for 60's to low 70's F overnight through the week and possibly into the mid 90's over the weekend.
 
Last edited:
She will likely go back to the nest at night if her chick is able to get into it. I've been surprised to find 2 day old chicks able to get into a nest about 16 inches above the floor when called by the hen.
A staggered hatch is always rife with issues.
How are the latecomers doing?
 
She will likely go back to the nest at night if her chick is able to get into it. I've been surprised to find 2 day old chicks able to get into a nest about 16 inches above the floor when called by the hen.
A staggered hatch is always rife with issues.
How are the latecomers doing?
I encouraged her to go up to the nesting box and put the singleton up there with her. They have food and water, and I'm going to try to keep them separated for a couple days.
One of the latecomers came out around 7:30 PM (EST) and she is sitting on it. As of 9 PM, the other one is moving/peeping, about a quarter-sized hole, momma also sitting on this one.
I think 4-5 others are pipping inside their shells.
 
That's what I figured and likely the reason the hen went off to care for the oldest chick teaching it how and what to eat and drink.
She knew it was warm enough for the malingerers.
Do you have chick starter/grower/all flock out for the chicks and hen to eat?
 
That's what I figured and likely the reason the hen went off to care for the oldest chick teaching it how and what to eat and drink.
She knew it was warm enough for the malingerers.
Do you have chick starter/grower/all flock out for the chicks and hen to eat?
Yes, I have had All-flock available in a small feeder in the coop and in their feeder in the run. The small feeder in the coop has been medicated starter feed since today. I also have a chick waterer in the coop.
They have oyster shells and egg shells in the run.
 
Yes, I have had All-flock available in a small feeder in the coop and in their feeder in the run. The small feeder in the coop has been medicated starter feed since today. I also have a chick waterer in the coop.
They have oyster shells and egg shells in the run.
Being raised by a hen, medicated feed is unlikely to be necessary for a number of reasons.
 
Being raised by a hen, medicated feed is unlikely to be necessary for a number of reasons.
Primarily, it's what I can get cheap here in town.
We also think we lost a hen to cocci at the end of May, my birds are confined to an enclosed run, frequently exposed to wild birds and water fowl via proximity, and it's been damp. In addition to all that, beyond sitting on them overnight, Lovey isn't all that interested in the new chicks, and after candling the remaining eggs it looks like they are all developing, though at different stages.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom