Worried, when is too long to let the hen sit?

[luvsmychicks]

This is our first experience with a broody hen. She's a Silver Laced Cochin and has 2 eggs that she started sitting on around March 14th, however during that time another chicken was hatching right next to her and she was collecting the others eggs, so the first few days we were taking out the recently hatched eggs. It's possible there was a mix up, then we marked the 2 eggs and blocked the area from the other hens. Don't underestimate the cleverness of a broody hen

So we are looking at possibly, March 18th when the real sitting began? We candled the eggs about a week ago, and they definitely have chicks growing. One does look slightly less grown, and its true that didn't look as far along as they should have, so the late "due date" is quite possible.

We could be between 20-24 days. I watched her last night and she stood up and rolled the eggs and drank some water and had a bite to eat.

The question is, how long do we wait. We really don't want to mess with her and the chicks at this point, but when do we know for sure they won't hatch? We are terrified of tossing them, but we don't want her to sit on chicks that won't hatch.

What do you think?

Thanks for your help!

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

I would give her another day or so. You said that you saw little chicks developing and mama hen knows how to communicate with those little chicks.

My Silkies will more often than not push out an egg that won't hatch out; they just seem to know. I check the rejected egg and the hen is always right--chick stopped developing and died.

Just do as you have been doing, make sure mama hen gets up in the morning and also in the late afternoon before time to roost so that she can get water and food. She will undoubtedly take care of the rest!

Best of luck to you!!

 

[luvsmychicks]

Okay thanks. When I was watching her last night she'd turn her head sideways like she heard something or felt movement and then she stood up and moved them around with her head. I wonder if she can feel them moving or chirping?

Can you typically hear the chicks chirping when the hen is sitting on them?

 

[Southernbelle]

Quote:
The hens can hear them chirping through the egg and Mama hen will talk back to them; it's what starts the bonding process.

If you're worried, you can go out when it's dark and candle the eggs, so you can see if they're moving or if the membranes still have blood, or if they've pipped the air cell, etc. I wouldn't give up, yet. If the eggs were duds, she probably would've tossed them out of the nest.

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

Oh, yes, she can feel and hear them. What you witnessed her doing last night is a very good sign that all is well. When the chicks pip the eggs, YOU will be able to hear them cheeping too!

I believe everything will be all right with your hen and her little chicks. If you don't mind, would you keep me posted? I sure would like to know when they hatch out!

 

[luvsmychicks]

oh yes absolutely! Thank you so much! My gut tells me they are there and everything is just fine. I guess I needed a little reassurance! And after the mama and I had a talk last night, I think she was showing me that everything was okay and she was still working.

Thanks again!

 

[luvsmychicks]

One hatched! A cutsie little black and yellow one, mostly black but we've only seen its head so far. NOt sure if the other one has hatched or not, we are not bothering them quite yet, was able to pull out a bit of egg leftover. Still waiting on another little head to pop out. What a good mother she is! Should have just trusted her, but its so easy for humans to stress out huh?

We are so excited!

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

I am so glad to hear the good news! She will make a perfect little mama hen to her little one(s). Make sure and let me know when the other one hatches out; it is exciting, isn't it?

 

[luvsmychicks]

OH just to watch and see it all happen is just amazing. She's so sweet too and never pecks us or anything. I forgot how quiet the Cochins are so DUH that's probably why I never heard a peep out of them. Even hatched the little one makes hardly any noise. But looks awfully excited and really wants to explore, but mama, rubs her beak together and chirps at the chick and soon enough he/she is quiet again. IT's soooo amazing!