Chicken hatching chicks

[Smalltimefarmer]

My hen is sitting and so far has hatched one chick. I went to check and there was an egg and a chick that has loosened all the shell, but didn't make it out. I picked it up an it was cold so I was taking it to garbage and suddenly it's mouth opened a couple of times. I put it under the mom.

This afternoon I went back in and a baby was laying in the cage not moving, I picked it up and it started yelling. I put it back too.

I guess I will see in the morning if they made it.

 

[Smalltimefarmer]

I also installed an old bakers rack in the coop to use as a roost. They were confused at bedtime , but finally went to there to roost. I also, have a wooden ladder in the coop that they use as a "sleeping stick".

 

[goshengirl]

Keeping fingers crossed that they do well!

 

[Pearl]

You got this, or those girls do!! Updates!!

 

[Smalltimefarmer]

Just went to "infirmary" and mom was rather testy so I don't get under her. I'll check later.

 

[Smalltimefarmer]

I looked today and there was no sign of the chicks other than the 3 day old one. I guess she ate them.

 

[Amish Heart]

Bummer. Sorry.

 

[Smalltimefarmer]

I have an incubator and tried it a few months ago. I didn't think it would be that good but it hatched 11 of 12. I cave them away So if I really need more I can use it.

I just hate the separation then acclimation of the chicks. It's so simple if they hatch their own. Already welcomed into the flock.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

My wife has the whole incubator set up, and has hatched them out in our spare bedroom.
When she has done this she kept them until they were a few weeks old, and then introduced them to one of the flocks.
The trouble with doing it yourself is often you get a bunch of roosters. Since we raise them as layers and not broilers this is not good.
Murray McMurray Hatchery is our go to source.

 

[Tim Horton]

When I lived in ...bush... we had a good size incubator.. About 120 or so eggs per batch.. We also had silky hens that would set in a hot minute.. Problem was they were prone to give up at the slightest disturbance and didn't hatch a very good percentage.. I had a significant problem with predators and letting hens set would not keep up the flock numbers without the incubator..