The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: aaronsundin on July 04, 2011, 10:26:19 am
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Hi all , I am brand new to this forum ,so please forgive me if this has been covered before. I purchased 6 hatching eggs and placed them under one of my boody hens . On day 22 the first chick arrived , fluffed up nicely and is looking good . It is now day 24 and no other eggs have hatched . I have read that hens know if eggs are not fertile and will kick them out . My hen comes out briefly for food in the morning but quickly returns to the nest pushing the remaining eggs under her . I am also concerned that she wont go out into the run with the chick to encourage it to eat and drink . When should I give up on the remaining eggs and remove them ? I do have another broody hen sitting on dummy eggs at the moment. Any advise will be very much appreciated ,
Stefan.
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you can lift the mother out and place her next to food, water, and her chick. Have you got food for the chick?
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Chicken eggs take 21 days to incubate so chances are the remainder will not now hatch.
Give the eggs another day under her if you want to, then remove them. Meanwhile place the food and water near to the hen. Make sure the water is VERY shallow as chicks can drown easily.
Mum will wander out with her chick when she is ready, just make sure she can see where you have placed the food and water - chick crumbs a little dampened is ideal for them both - mum will peck at them and show the little one what to do.
This link might be useful:
http://poultrykeeper.com/chickens/incubation-and-hatching/incubation-using-a-broody-hen.html (http://poultrykeeper.com/chickens/incubation-and-hatching/incubation-using-a-broody-hen.html)
Hope all goes well.
:chook:
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Chicken eggs take 21 days to incubate so chances are the remainder will not now hatch.
Give the eggs another day under her if you want to, then remove them. Meanwhile place the food and water near to the hen. Make sure the water is VERY shallow as chicks can drown easily.
Mum will wander out with her chick when she is ready, just make sure she can see where you have placed the food and water - chick crumbs a little dampened is ideal for them both - mum will peck at them and show the little one what to do.
This link might be useful:
http://poultrykeeper.com/chickens/incubation-and-hatching/incubation-using-a-broody-hen.html (http://poultrykeeper.com/chickens/incubation-and-hatching/incubation-using-a-broody-hen.html)
Hope all goes well.
Many thanks Heather & Ohlala , I do have chick crumbs ready and will take your advise , also thanks for the link :)
:chook:
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Chicken eggs take 21 days to incubate so chances are the remainder will not now hatch.
Possibly a little late now but I always leave eggs four days after the supposed due date in case the eggs were cold/shaken up prior to going under the hen. And what's the harm in leaving them. She'll possibly chuck them out the nest if they aren't viable anyway.