Author Topic: Think I might have made a big mistake. (Read 2528 times)

mowhaugh · « **on:** August 28, 2013, 07:51:03 pm »

Our two chicks hatched yesterday, which was day 22. I was going to leave the others for another couple of days, but tonight I got really worried about how thin my hen is, and also how she was not showing any interest in her chicks but obsessing about her eggs (not speaking to them, though, and no pipping coming from inside) so I decided to take them away. One had never been fertile, the other two had been but were disgusting so had obviously been dead quite a while, but the other had a full size chick in it. It did not show any sign of life at all, but I am now really worried that I am a chick murderer. How long should I have left them in for? And if I didn't murder it and it was just dead, is there anything I could have done to stop that happening? It just seems such a shame when it had managed to grow to that size to lose it. The shell seemed very thick and tough, might it have not been able to get out?

On a positive note, the two chicks we have are perfect, and my little boys are absolutely delighted with them, and my hen has even allowed them to stroke the chicks with one finger, which was really sweet.

doganjo · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2013, 08:20:17 pm »

Don't worry, we've all been there. I always leave them at least 3 to 4 days after I expect them to hatch. That one might have pipped and you might have had to help it, or teh hen herself might have, but who knows. At least you've got two - what's the betting they are both cockerels!

little blue · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2013, 08:22:07 pm »

I'll second that!
All been there....
And the two you have will be lovely I'm sure :0

Mammyshaz · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2013, 12:37:49 am »

I left my lot ( first ever hatch ) a week extra just in case

same sort of result as you had. A couple infertile, a few deaths early and a few fully formed. Guess it's nature. I incubated and wondered if I'd had a broody if it would have been different but after reading this post I'm guessing nature decides regardless of our input.
Enjoy your hatchlings, they grow up so so quickly

chrismahon · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2013, 08:02:39 am »

The egg should have pipped by then Mowhaugh, or the chick would certainly have been moving. They can die at that stage if the air sac is too small and they can't manouvre to pip. Think the important think was to get the hen focussed on the chicks that had hatched, as they urgently needed her attention. Usually the mother would abandon the remaining eggs at that stage.

jaykay · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2013, 08:11:37 am »

You can get 'dead in shell' right up to the point of hatching. If they'd been healthy and going to hatch they'd have pipped. Don't worry about it

Enjoy the chicks - fingers crossed they're pullets

mowhaugh · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2013, 10:25:29 am »

Thanks, everyone, that is very reassuring. I feel much better about it this morning, as she is up off ner nest, eating and drinking properly and organising her chicks.

Rosemary · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2013, 10:28:58 am »

Quote from: mowhaugh on August 29, 2013, 10:25:29 am

Thanks, everyone, that is very reassuring. I feel much better about it this morning, as she is up off ner nest, eating and drinking properly and organising her chicks.

It's lovely to watch them mothering chicks

melholly · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2013, 10:49:10 am »

We've just had our first 6 hatch (out of 7) and Mum is doing a wonderful job. I was tempted to see what happened to the 7th egg but all my books and friends told me to resist the temptation as it could be upsetting obviously.

Just put it down to Mother Nature - she who we can't control but must respect.

I'm sure your Mummy Hen is loving her chicks now!

Mx