Eggs with week different hatching times under same hen

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G'day all,
Am hoping someone will give me some good news. The story so far is until recently I had two broody hens sitting on clutches. Sadly just yesterday one of my hens died suddenly and I really don't know why. I was terrified it was something contagious but the other three hens all look very healthy at this stage. The eggs under this hen were due to hatch in the next few days. Though they were cold I hoped for the best and put them under the other broody hen. The problem I have now is she is sitting on eggs that have just started hatching and some that are not due to hatch for at least another 5-7 days. Will she stay sitting once some chicks have hatched? I do hope so because I have candled them all that they are all fertile.
 
No, very unlikely. She will sit for a day or so but once the chicks emerge from under her she will go into mother mode and take them to the chick crumbs and water.

I would try to get them into an incubator as soon as you can, alternatively, you could try removing the chicks from under her as soon as they hatch but you will need a heat lamp for them and I'm not so sure if she would still sit another week after knowing her chicks are hatching now...

Let us know how you get on Rebecca. :?
 
That'll be sad! I had one chick hatch overnight and at least another is on the way. Will have to get in contact with a friend of mine who has chickens and see if any of hers are broody. The day may be saved.
 
If all else fails - eggs produce alot of their own heat during the last few days - when she leaves them, if you can put them in a box with some damp paper (for humidity) and in a warm place like near a hot water tank, they may well still hatch.... don't give up hope!
 
I'd call round and see if there is a broody or an incubator thats up to speed for them. Even if she did sit for a bit longer its actually not good for the hen as she needs to start moving and eating once the eggs hatch.

You could also try as Tim suggested about placing near the hot water tank etc, but I don't know how well that will work. I've heard one or two people say they left eggs that lost their hen in their airing cupboard and had some of them hatch but I'd not be confident that it'll be a happy outcome.

A broody would be best bet, but not many are this time of year. Incubator otheriwse.
 
Good luck with them Rebecca,keeping my fingers x'd for you.
 
My garden propergater runs the same temp as my incubator, so if you have one try the eggs in that. I use my propergator as my brooder its great.
 
Well I've had two healthy chicks hatch and two that didn't make it out of the egg. Summer here in the southern hemisphere so I was hoping and encouraging one of my other Pekins towards broodiness but it was a no go. Luckily I have a friend who is a great bird breeder and she happened to have an old incubator in her shed. Am testing it out now.
 
ladychick said:
My garden propergater runs the same temp as my incubator, so if you have one try the eggs in that. I use my propergator as my brooder its great.
Click to expand...

Now there's an excellent idea - why haven't I ever thought of that! As long as there are no hot spots on the floor it sounds ideal! I will try mine out this week for my Thursday hatch.

I'm pleased you found an incubator Rebecca. :)
 
Holds temp with vents closed.
Cheep and cheerfull is my middle name hee hee but being a small home hobby I cannot justify a great expence and have not lost a chick yet.
After a couple of days( especialy with water inside for chicks) open the vents on top then I use squashed loo roll inners to prop the back of the top open for more air as chicks grow. On the floor I use to use kitchen roll paper and a old flannel ( for them to lay on) but now I have the plastic/rubber non slip mats if you have two you can rinse one used one out and air dry while other is in use.
As chicks grow you can switch it of during the day and back on at night if needed. depends on room temp untill they go into a cage or shed I use the conservoty and a large hamster cage I also have a parrot cage.
 
Glad you've got 2 healthy chicks Rebecca,at least they've got company.you must be relieved to have the incubator,hope it's working properly and you get a good hatch rate.
 
Not very good news with the incubator. Don't know how accurate my fish tank thermometer is but temp may have got up to around the 40 degree mark because stupid me left it near a window and it was in the sun for awhile. Does this mean the eggs are dead or should I persist? Could I candle them to see if they are still alive? What do I look for - a beating heart? Ahh - it's so much easier when the hen does the work!!! On a good note my two hatched chicks are doing really well. The kids are thrilled - I just hope they are both hens otherwise it will be sad indeed. Am not allowed to have a rooster because I live in town. Makes no sense to me when people have dogs that bark all day.
 
Sounds like a plan.

There were 3 chicks out this morning when I left so I'd better set it up tonight and take a look at it.

It will be cheaper to run than my heat lamps!

Tim
 
Hi Rebecca,you could candle them to see what is going on.Personally,if it was me I would just perservere and hope for the best.
 
Thanks, Will let you all know the outcome next week. My little silky chicks are sooo cute!!! Am only letting them and Mum out under supervision as we have alot of birds that would love to snack on chicks around here.
 
Great news!!!! Despite all the setbacks I've had one frizzle chick hatch successfully and another is on the way. The chick is so cute - fluffy and grey. Hope they all hatch. Was told that if I sneekily snuck the chicks under my mother hen at night she would accept them as her own. Anyone had any success at this method?
 
Congratulations :D ,so pleased that you're having success with them after a stressfull time.
No idea if a mother hen will accept another's chicks,but hopefully Snifter or Tim will see the post and know.
 
Some do, some don't. As your hen already has two older chicks chances are she won't be fooled in the least as she stopped sitting ages ago now. She is more likely to peck them to pieces than accept them.

Usually the best success with this is when a hen is broody and has not hatched any eggs or had ny chicks and you put them all under her in one go and cross fingers. Some will take them, others refuse.

I personally would not try it as you may have the chicks maimed or worse.
 
What was the outcome? I'm interested to know how it went..?? :?
 
Haven't been on here for ages. My one frizzle chick from the incubator is doing well. The pekin egg hatched but it's legs didn't work so I had my husband euthanise it. The mother hen was not having any chicks that she hadn't hatched so I bought a laying hen chick just to keep the orphan company. They have both grown like mad and are in that ugly in between feather stage. One of my silky chicks disappearred one afternoon when I had people for dinner and locked them up too late. Feel very bad about that. Mum and the one remaining chick sleep in my dog crate so they are safe and the other chicks are inside. We will be rat/snake proofing the chicken house this weekend so it will be all ready for any chicks in the future.
 
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