Help. 3, 5 day old chicks and 2 abandoned eggs starting to pip.

[Eggs2chicks]

Ok so hen gave up after first 3 hatched and we had to bring them in as it’s cold outside. Now 1 has started to pip and the other should be right behind that. How do I integrate them with the mother and other two chicks when they finish zipping out??

 

[Theroosterman]

Just bring the hen and the other chicks in the house in a box and have the eggs near her or insert them under her i dont think shed reject them

 

[333113]

In my experience the best way to add extra chicks under a hen who already has some chicks is to wait until the newly hatched chicks are thoroughly dry and active, because you want them to be able to keep up with the other chicks.

Then, after dark, when the hen is sleeping, gently tuck one new chickie at a time under her. I usually pause after the first one, to hear that she is talking to them, then I add in the rest.

This works for adding storebought chicks, too.

 

[Eggs2chicks]

Just bring the hen and the other chicks in the house in a box and have the eggs near her or insert them

Thank you. I will see if I can catch them and try that.

 

[BullChick]

Connie is correct.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would not bring them in, that will upset everyone. Leave her where she is, and go down in the dark, first let the new chicks get a little cold, it sounds heartless, but it really does work. They should be peeping wildly. In the dark, slip a chick under her, and the chick should burrow into that warm spot like a tick. Then leave them alone.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

Just bring the hen and the other chicks in the house in a box and have the eggs near her or insert them under her i dont think shed reject them

Sorry....Not a good idea^^^.

I would not bring them in, that will upset everyone.

Ditto Dat^^^

Inserting dry chicks under hen at night well after dark can work well.

I read another scenario that I thought was brilliant,
but takes having a good 'relationship' with your broody hen.
Keeper was able to handle chicks with broody, so they would pick up a chick for a few minutes then put it back down...then another...then put down 2 chicks instead of just the 1 picked up until all the incubated chicks were added to mama hens brood.