[Daucus]

Hello, this is my first post on here so I'm sorry to be diving straight in and asking for advice!

We have a first time broody whose clutch of 5 eggs were due to hatch today. Had a peek under her tonight, and there was a dead chick and 2 unhatched eggs. The chick didn't have anything obviously wrong and seemed curled up as though it hadn't hatched itself (not sure that makes sense... it looked as though it was still in the egg, curled up and wet).

Now, we've just had an experienced broody hatch out 5 from 12 eggs from the same supplier, so we know that the hatching rate isn't great with them.

The question is, how long should we wait for the other 2 eggs before we can be sure they aren't going to hatch? Also, if there is no hope for them would it be a good idea to get some young chicks from somewhere so that at least she has some babies after all her hard work?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated 

[joyfull]

I would wait another couple of days then look into getting some chicks, however just in case  she doesn't take to them make sure you have got a brooder ready with heat lamp. Some of my chicks either died in their shells or half out and it seemed that they just didn't have enough strength to do the final bit. I to had 5 out of 12 from my last lot of eggs, but the surviving 5 are great 

[Daucus]

Glad your 5 are doing well!
Thanks for the tip about the heat lamp, hadn't thought of that.

Any tips for introducing chicks? Is it best to do it at night?

[joyfull]

sorry I've not had to do that but there are plenty on here who have so hopefully they will be able to advise, good luck 

[janeheritage]

I introduced three 2 day old chicks to my broody 3 weeks ago.

She had 6 eggs under her which were duds. We put the box with the chicks near her so she could hear them peeping, and she purred at the sound, which is a good sign. Then we waited until it was evening (the chicks would have been chilled if we had waited any longer) and my husband (whose hands are big enough to hide a chick completely) slipped one chick in and took out 2 eggs.

She looked very surprised but after one half hearted peck began to fuss over the little one. So we slipped in the others one at a time, removing 2 eggs each time, and left her to it.

In the morning they were all tucked up happy as Larry and she has been a great mum.

Good luck whatever you do!

PS we got Cream Legbar chicks so we knew they were all girls 

[Foxy]

I did the same thing yesterday Jane! Had a broody that killed 3 of her chicks, with some still unhatched took her out and popped on of my super broodies on the eggs, she didn't half looked surprised, but bless her she hatched the others out and is now busy being a terrific mum!
Probably not the best way though, whipping her out of a nestbox straight onto a clutch of half hatched eggs, Janes' method is far better!

[Daucus]

Something that might change things - out of 5 eggs there are now only 2 under her (plus the dead chick which we removed), so it seems as though she might have eaten the other 2 eggs  Would it be safe to introduce chicks? I'd hate to see a massacre...

[janeheritage]

She might react differently to live ones. Put them near her and see how she reacts to their sound: the peeping seems to act like a spell!

Introduce them when she is sleepy and watch her like a hawk. If she is aggressive to them, take them away and stick them under an electric hen  . But she might be absolutely fine...