When is it safe to look under Mama?

[chknmomma]

Oh my goodness!! Today is day 21.

I can hear peeping and various noises.

But I'm afraid to lift up and peek.

When is it safe to peek under a small feather of mama hen to see if there are babies???

Thanks!!

 

[ibpboo]

Congratulations! How exciting!

But, no peeking!
I would wait, hard as it is!

Good luck, keep an eye on her.

I am not very experienced with this, been a long time since a hen of mine hatched eggs.

 

[chknmomma]

How long do I have to wait?? Will they peek out??

 

[perolane]

I just lift the hen's rear end up by the tail feathers....just a few inches & peek under. My silkies don't mind at all!

 

[mychookschick]

The one and only time that I hatched I peeked once and there was a dead chick under there.... Then later I found a live one.

I would just run your hand under her and make sure that they are all alive.... if not you need to remove the dead one and dispose of it before it begins to smell. I know that this is a hard concept but it is important.

 

[Higins00]

Id look too! Mine don't mind I look all the time. She will keep them in there for a day or two before she comes out. How cute!

 

[phasianidae]

out of curiosity i always look, but they should come out the next day

 

[WingingIt]

Sort of depends on Mom's disposition!

I always did the 'run my hand under there' thing, but I've been lucky and not had a mean broody (yet). You'll see them peeking out in a day or two, usually. Might have to at the right time to catch them peeking if it's cold, though.

 

[chknmomma]

Thanks all.

I'll have to go peek. So you don't have to worry about shrink-wrapping or other stuff like that since you have a mama hatching??? I didn't want to peek in case it messed up the humidity/temps under mama. Don't want to kill any babies just because of stupid human mistake!!!