She just hatched! It was very exciting but I'm worried, the mother is sort of rough trying to get her under her. Is that normal, she keeps trying to get her under her with the other eggs. Also when should the babies crop look full? At what point do I worry that the mom isn't feeding her. Now that one is born is there anything extra I have to make sure to have in the nesting box. This is so exciting!

congratulation.

 

hen always seemed rough with the bubs to me. as to the time i haven't had a problem with my hens feeding young, i left them alone and checked only morning and night and the bub was always feed by the next check after finding a hatched chick.

Hi Ashley,

It sure is exciting to have your first chick hatch. Mum will naturally push chick under her to keep warm, they know by instinct how to rear them, you would be more worried if Mum didn't cover chick as it would die from cold etc. Your hen and cock as well, will look after them just enjoy and learn.

Mum will feed chick it won't look like much at first just a bit of creamy liquid in crop. Day by day you'll see the crop fuller. Just give parents extra soft food and clean water as well as usual seed diet. If you haven't already, after all eggs hatch, you can add nest material, wood shavings, rolled oats etc.to nest box.