MadMitch Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 When chicks hatch under a broody, how long is it before they should start eating? Mine started to hatch yesterday and I've seen little feet under her but she hasn't moved off them since yesterday morning. Can they go a while before they need to eat or should I be encouraging her out of the eglu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 They are definately okay for 24 hours as they have absorbed the yolk and feed off this. I think they start to eat after this, mum should show they what to do. I would leave them to it for the moment, especially as I think interference can upset mum. Just make sure that chick crumb is available and watch and wait Sure others will be along to advise soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 I thought they could survive for 72 hours on the egg yolk - which is why they can be shipped in the post! You they have chick crumb in with them, if you put it on a tray or paper towel and tap it with your fingers, it encourages the chicks to tap it with their beaks and start to eat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMitch Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 Its now two days since my first chick hatched and still no sign of anything from the other 8 eggs. I threw one out as it was clearly liquid. I was panicing a bit as she has not moved off them since Friday morning and has not attempted to show the chick how to feed. Claret gave me the following advice in case anyone else has similar problems: - The little chick will have enough yolk sac left to last it for 24-48 hours, but will need to be shown how to feed. I'd suggest that you put a coffee jar lid or similar in the nest area where it is - line the lid with silver foil as they are attarcted to peck at shiny things and then put some chick crumbs in it. If mum doesn't show it how to peck, then you can do that by 'pecking' the crumbs with your finger tip to show it. It'll also need a very shallow drinker with some pebbles/marbles in it and be show how to drink that by dipping his beak in it. I find that jar lids are just right for this. Some eggs can fail quite late on, although this is rarer than them not developing from the start. Give them a couple more days to see what happenes and if they don't look like hatching (have you tapped the shells with your nail and listened?) then ditch them and enourage mum out into the run with the smallster I have since placed two jam jar lids covered in tin foil (one with crumb and chopped boiled egg and one with water) near the broody and have just seen the chick pop out and have something to eat and drink, my broody also ate a handful of meal worms. I am a lot happier now. I will leave her to it now and wait and see if the others hatch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
