I wanted to post this story because when I googled it, 24 days is really quite the stretch - and I did not find many if any stories of people getting their chicks hatching at day 24 - especially under a broody, which is usually sooner rather than later (vs an incubator). They were supposed to hatch Sunday, gave it until Tuesday and nothing happened. Wednesday I was going to toss the eggs, but was too busy, so I figured I'd do it the next day.
Well, they hatched Wed afternoon to our huge surprise!! 9 out of the 11 eggs to boot!
My hen's broody behavior was perfect, not eradic at any time. She sat on her nest and spent about 10 minutes tops each day once a day doing all her eating and elimating business. The eggs were set under my hen on Sun eve Jan 29 and scheduled to begin to hatch sunday noon Feb 19th. The only thing I can say is that it was cold during that time, 20s and 30s temps - but not sub zero. I kept the eggs in a cool room (not the fridge) before placing them under her - and I tried to gather them in the morning soon after they were laid (their coop is not heated).
So for any one wondering whether to toss at day 23 - don't make the mistake I almost did!! :)
And now I am wondering what exactly they all are!...
Golden Wyandotte Roo mixed with these hens: barred rock, isa brown (RI Red x with a RI white) and australorp.
I can see 3 that look very barred - little white tuffs and bibs... 2 that are more black, probably australorp. The yellow ones from the Isa's are fascinating because each of the 4 are very different from one another.
Anyone know what they are considered (sex links?)? which may be roosters?
All nine of them... you can see at least 2 barred mixes (white fluff spots on heads)
in this natural day light you can really see how very different each of the yellow ones are (so pretty we think!) Our isa's as babies did not look like any of these... nor did our wyandotte look like them - they seem the most 'mixed'.
I think those two (or three) black chicks may be australorp babies? well technically not pure australorp though I guess..
We hope with our luck they're not all roosters haha! we'll see!
