2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[dance in the dark]

So when I went to check on my broody last night after I locked up the other girls, I noticed one of my eggs had pipped (day 20) and then when I checked this morning I had three fluffed up chicks all happily sitting under mummy. Now there are still four eggs which have not hatched, and mum doesn't look to be abandoning them anytime soon, but I am just wondering, when should I put food and water in for the chicks? I know there are various figures between 24 and 72 hours that a chick can last without food, but if I chose to put some food in maybe early this evening is that a problem? Is it dangerous to let chicks at food to early? I don't know if It seems silly, but I read about someone who said if you don't let them digest the yolk first it can make them ill.

 

Also, I feel I have been very good on the interfering point, I have just checked they are all alive, and nothing more, but should I try and give each chick a good going over to check they are in decent health? Obviously, if one has a serious problem I don't want to prolong it's agony, but is it ok to take them away from mum even for two or three minutes at this early stage?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Tim

[Kirstie]

Hi Tim,

 

I would put a little pot of chick crumbs (a ramekin or saucer or something) and the same with water (with marbles or pebbles in to stop the chicks drowning) in the house and keep the door shut until all eggs are hatched or you are sure nothing else is going to happen. I would put the food and water close to the nest so mum can reach it and the chicks can easily too.

 

I think the yolk absorption thing is when they are in the egg - and they absorb it before they hatch. It's not good for them to be helped out of an egg if the yolks not been absorbed as it means they aren't ready.

 

It sounds like you are doing the right thing by leaving them alone. If you lift mum whilst the others are hatching it will affect humidity and may cause problems. I'd just wait and see what happens (easier said then done I know - and I wish I could have taken my own advice) but in a day or so you will see your gorgeous chicks x

 

Good luck

[dance in the dark]

Well, last night I popped a chick drinker and chick feeder into the eglu, just in case, and them I could at least know it was there if they needed it, for mum at least, she has refused to eat anything since Thursday, although she did have a drink on Saturday.

 

I now have four chicks all alive, and three eggs unhatched I have had a little look at each of them just to check they are ok, they all seem happy and are finding their feet quite well. I thought I just had to check each one over to make sure they didn't have any problems that might result in culling, hopefully, up to now, everything is fine! Mum also doesn't seem to want to leave the nest yet. Perhaps she knows something I don't. That something being that they other three eggs will hatch and they will all be strong happy girls (let me have my dreams!).

 

Even if no more hatch I think for a first time broody, coupled with my constant fretting, that isn't a terrible hatch rate is it? And they came through the post!

 

Tim

[Daphne]

You've all done very well

 

Just let Mum sit quietly for a while yet - the other eggs may or may not hatch. Just to check, if Mum isn't eating/drinking (although actually she may be doing so when you aren't looking), have you seen the chicks eat/drink? They usually need her/someone to show them where/what the food and water are.

[dance in the dark]

Yes, well I thought when I get home this evening, I will see what's happening food or drink wise, and if I can get hold of the chicks without moving mum (they are starting to pop out from under her) I will show them all how to drink and eat. It really is stressful, for all I have read about it being "easier and calmer" to use a broody hen, it's blummin' not!