[Kimbo]

can we have an update please? Im very interested in how you are doing 

[princesslayer]

Hooray! Two lovely chicks hatched in the last hour and a third well on it's way. I'm leaving them alone. Last two eggs still no signs of life but I did candle them, they've got big chicks in just can't tell if they're alive.

Hen is slightly perkier, she was covered in mite and we doused her yesterday. She's not right enough for me to try re-introducing chicks so they're in the house for the duration I think.

Will the chicks learn to peck crumbs/water/soaked crumbs on their own? Can they stay in the incubator for a day or so?

Thanks for the encouragement everyone, lots to learn for next time! Like the idea of doing a new coop each year and dusting it with d-earth. Should have guessed that a sitting hen would be a magnet.

[devonlady]

Lightly tap the eggs with a fingernail, the chicks may cheep back, if not still don't give up hope, they may still hatch. As for feeding chicks, just chick crumbs will do. "peck" about in it with a fingernail to mimic the hen pecking, a couple of minutes and they will get it. Water in a very shallow container eg a jam jar lid for the first few days. Well done

[Fleecewife]

I love a happy ending 

[Kimbo]

I "teach " them how to drink by gently dipping the end of their beaks in very shallow water. I have to do it 3/4 times then they get the idea.
Although I keep a full chick feeding trough in the box with the chicks I put some crumb on the floor very close to the brooder so they don't have to come out to get it. I move it around with my finger. They seem to like stuff that moves! Again, it doesn't take long for them to get the idea.
Watch for their bums getting bunged up! Ive had to bathe off some dried pooh on one of my chicks today  and when I had she did a huge pooh and started eating straight away! Warm water and cotton wool

[ladyK]

Lovely update - so glad it ended well! 

[Roxy]

Brilliant news.

[doganjo]

Any update - and piccies? 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

What about sticking them in a nice temperature in the top oven, very nice and toasty, not too hot though.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Another way of keeping a sitting hen is to put her in a large cardboard box with plenty of straw and make sure the box is long ad lift her every now and again for the toilet and for food and water.

[princesslayer]

Hello all,

I promise to put some pics up (very cute) but I've got a couple of behaviour questions.

I've seem them pecking crumbs and have dipped their beaks in water and I think that's going ok.

They're under a heat lamp. Can I trust them to move away from the heat if they're too hot? They have space to get into a cooler part of the box.

They seem to have gone to sleep, eyes shut head resting on bottom of box. Is this normal? They perk straight up when they hear a noise and have been doing a lot if bustling about.

The last two eggs are hatching now. If I get five chicks from six eggs after that rocky start I'll be delighted!

[devonlady]

That is the behaviour of chicks who are contented and happy. Bless them, hope the others hatch out as well.

[doganjo]

If they are inside just make sure the heat lamp isn't too close as the ambient temperature will be reasonable anyway.

[Kimbo]

They sound just fine.
Mine spend a lot of time tucked under their brooder so don't worry.
If they don't all dash out to me when I go to check them I take each one out and give it the once over. I think its good to get them used to being handled and you can spot anything like a dried up bum. When I put them back in the box I do it away from the brooder so they have to get some walking practice to get back to the warm! In my previous hatch that's how I noticed that one had splayed leg and fixed it.
Its all sounding good after your nightmare start to the hatch.
Is mother hen OK now?

[princesslayer]

Here's a pic, hopefully...