- Jul 4, 2012
- 165
- 19
- 93
I have two broody hens - one is a Miss Penelope, a black cochin and sitting on big eggs that I don't think she is effectively incubating....but Miss Julie - she's got the good clutch.
I didn't begin with the intention of hatching eggs. One day turned into two, two into three of her sitting on the eggs, 3 turned to 4 and before I knew it, I thought I might as well leave them now.
So, a few days ago - can you believe one started chirping - it does not seem like 21 days! It was a little grueling watching the thing wiggle out of the shell, and mom of course stepping all over it crushing the shell further. It looked completely adorable when I left the coop, but wasn't ALL the way out of the shell yet, just about though.
The next morning my daughter went out, expecting to see a fluffy little chick and instead found it dead in the center of the eggs.
So, I took 6 eggs out 4 are tiny eggs (either from the cochin, a bantam silkie or from the mama sitting (a deleware I think).
Four eggs have things moving in them. I have NOOO idea how to tell how close they are to hatching, and if I'm even doing it right. I bought an incubator (Little giant) and the egg turner and they've been in there for a few days since the incident.
Now I'm on here researching and it seems like there is a lot more to do than just stick them in the incubator. I did put water in the tray, but I have no idea how to tell if it's enough humidity.
How can I tell if one of the eggs are going to hatch aside from rocking and peeping? Can you tell by candling how close it is to hatching? I read to take them out of the incubator and into the brooder 3 days before they hatch - but I don't think I will be able to tell. They seem as if they are at different stages of development.
Thanks
I didn't begin with the intention of hatching eggs. One day turned into two, two into three of her sitting on the eggs, 3 turned to 4 and before I knew it, I thought I might as well leave them now.
So, a few days ago - can you believe one started chirping - it does not seem like 21 days! It was a little grueling watching the thing wiggle out of the shell, and mom of course stepping all over it crushing the shell further. It looked completely adorable when I left the coop, but wasn't ALL the way out of the shell yet, just about though.
The next morning my daughter went out, expecting to see a fluffy little chick and instead found it dead in the center of the eggs.
So, I took 6 eggs out 4 are tiny eggs (either from the cochin, a bantam silkie or from the mama sitting (a deleware I think).
Four eggs have things moving in them. I have NOOO idea how to tell how close they are to hatching, and if I'm even doing it right. I bought an incubator (Little giant) and the egg turner and they've been in there for a few days since the incident.
Now I'm on here researching and it seems like there is a lot more to do than just stick them in the incubator. I did put water in the tray, but I have no idea how to tell if it's enough humidity.
How can I tell if one of the eggs are going to hatch aside from rocking and peeping? Can you tell by candling how close it is to hatching? I read to take them out of the incubator and into the brooder 3 days before they hatch - but I don't think I will be able to tell. They seem as if they are at different stages of development.
Thanks