Day 20: The hatching begins (Under broody hen)

[Muser]

It's day 20 of chicks incubating under my big broody Orpington/Brahma cross, she started with 12 but one sadly stopped developing at day 3/4ish. So day 7 comes, candling shows great development, all 11 remaining eggs were showing spider veins and some dark eye spots as expected.

Day 14 comes and a second candling session shows a number of saddled air sacks from the shipping being rough on the eggs through delivery, so that's a worry. I stopped checking on them on day 14, I left my gorgeous girl (First time broody) just do her thing and she's been excellent. Rarely gets off the nest but she did take breaks every other day to stretch her wings, fill up on food and water and back in she went.

It's day 20 - I expected to maybe see some pipping going on but when I visited her today, there is a full on chick under her! It's still wet so assuming it only managed to break free of the shell about half hour before I found it! I haven't touched baby chick and Broody hen seems keen to sit on the remaining eggs and the new baby.

Here's to hoping the rest manage it too!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Congratulations!!!
The best advice I can give at this point is to give her space. Sit on your hands and let nature take its course. Nothing you do at this point will improve the situation. They need no human intervention.
The end is in sight. Relax and count chicks in a couple days.

 

[Muser]

Thank you and yes, I'm stopping by to give them food and water and check in, but I'm certainly not touching them or helping any out of their eggs, I've read horror stories of people breaking open the yolk sacks and causing the chicks they were trying to help, to bleed to death and the ones they do help out end up being weak and sickly their entire lives. It's brutal, but it's nature so yes, I will watch from a distance and observe life working it's wonders. Thanks for the advice, very kind

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good to hear. Whether kept with the flock, or sequestered in their own broody apartment I always assured there was accessible water and starter feed nearby so when the hen chose to venture from the nest with her charges, she could show them how and where to eat and drink. Otherwise, I ignored them since they were in a trance and are unconcerned about their flock or me at that time.
Maybe my method showed a lack of concern but all I assured was that water was available and waited to count chicks in due time.
Many people forget that chickens have been incubating and hatching chicks for a million years without human intervention.

 

[Back40chick]

My hen hatched out two chicks. I never bothered her while she was on the eggs. It is three weeks now and they are doing great

 

[Back40chick]

My three week old chicks. Naturally incubated by their mother.

 

[Back40chick]

Mom and dad

 

[Muser]

Good to hear. Whether kept with the flock, or sequestered in their own broody apartment I always assured there was accessible water and starter feed nearby so when the hen chose to venture from the nest with her charges, she could show them how and where to eat and drink. Otherwise, I ignored them since they were in a trance and are unconcerned about their flock or me at that time.
Maybe my method showed a lack of concern but all I assured was that water was available and waited to count chicks in due time.
Many people forget that chickens have been incubating and hatching chicks for a million years without human intervention.

Exactly, and I don't think it shows a lack of concern, the very opposite! It's a hard thing to not intervene when we are naturally curious and caring creatures. To use caution and have the will to stand back and watch even when things go bad shows incredible restraint here's to hoping nature's kind to the remaining 10

 

[Muser]

My three week old chicks. Naturally incubated by their mother.

Awwe adorbs! Pretty as heck! I always love how fluffy they are

 

[Muser]

Just a little update on the now fluffy butt. Look how cute it is! <3 More chicks have started pipping today too so hoping for some more today/tomorrow!