Another "I can't wait for my chicks to hatch" post

[MGG]

I must lament again. I thought chicks were due to hatch Sunday. I remembered putting the date in my calendar but when I looked I couldn’t find it. I couldn’t find it because they were due to hatch yesterday. Well I do assume that if the hen staying off the nest didn’t kill the eggs, it would have delayed the hatch. Not knowing that hatch day was yesterday or today, last night I picked them all up for a “sniff test” to make sure none were rotting. I hope I didn’t mess anything up the waiting game is so hard!

Aw! Have you candled them yet?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Aw! Have you candled them yet?

No. Last hatch I had, I had candled all six eggs and thought they looked great, but only two chicks hatched. Low and behold the others were never fertile to begin with. Also at that time, it was dark enough in the coop in the morning that I could do it before leaving for work but days are longer now so I figured since I clearly wasn't good at it the first time, I wouldn't bother the second time. At this point though I shouldn't bother them again, right??

 

[MGG]

No. Last hatch I had, I had candled all six eggs and thought they looked great, but only two chicks hatched. Low and behold the others were never fertile to begin with. Also at that time, it was dark enough in the coop in the morning that I could do it before leaving for work but days are longer now so I figured since I clearly wasn't good at it the first time, I wouldn't bother the second time. At this point though I shouldn't bother them again, right??

I would candle and just check for internal pips and/or movement. I usually wouldn't recommend candling frequently (like I do, lol) but we can learn a lot from it and sometimes save their lives. It won't hurt anything to check, as long as the hen won't beat you up (like mine) lol.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I would candle and just check for internal pips and/or movement. I usually wouldn't recommend candling frequently (like I do, lol) but we can learn a lot from it and sometimes save their lives. It won't hurt anything to check, as long as the hen won't beat you up (like mine) lol.

We call her a pterodactyl mom but she's very used to me handling her. There are five greenish eggs and one tan/brown one. I *think* I've browsed enough pics on here I could ID an internal pip. I wish I knew how much the hatch could be delayed due to her getting off the nest. I would have thought if getting off the nest made the eggs quit, they would have started stinking by now so they would either be infertile, or I've got some babies in there! Should I wait until it's dark outside or can you candle with some ambient light??

 

[MGG]

We call her a pterodactyl mom but she's very used to me handling her. There are five greenish eggs and one tan/brown one. I *think* I've browsed enough pics on here I could ID an internal pip. I wish I knew how much the hatch could be delayed due to her getting off the nest. I would have thought if getting off the nest made the eggs quit, they would have started stinking by now so they would either be infertile, or I've got some babies in there! Should I wait until it's dark outside or can you candle with some ambient light??

That's good. Do you have a jacket you can put over your head (it will look ridiculous, beware, lol) and candle the eggs under there, or a big box you can do it under? You can even carry a couple at a time into a dark room in your house to candle. Internal pips are usually pretty obvious, and you'll hear clicking and/or chirping if you tap on them and hold them up to your ear. How long was she off the nest?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

That's good. Do you have a jacket you can put over your head (it will look ridiculous, beware, lol) and candle the eggs under there, or a big box you can do it under? You can even carry a couple at a time into a dark room in your house to candle. Internal pips are usually pretty obvious, and you'll hear clicking and/or chirping if you tap on them and hold them up to your ear. How long was she off the nest?

Twice she was off long enough that they were luke-warm to the touch and once long enough that they were cold. From what I have read, they still had a chance since this happened in the first six days of incubation. The time they were cold was day six. I can definitely cover myself up and give the candling a go. I won't get home from work until 7 so I'll just have to wait anxiously.

 

[MGG]

Twice she was off long enough that they were luke-warm to the touch and once long enough that they were cold. From what I have read, they still had a chance since this happened in the first six days of incubation. The time they were cold was day six. I can definitely cover myself up and give the candling a go. I won't get home from work until 7 so I'll just have to wait anxiously.

I think they'll still be ok then. Sounds good! Let me know what you find when you candle.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I think they'll still be ok then. Sounds good! Let me know what you find when you candle.

Ugh so my flashlight is terrible for candling. There was a lot of light leakage BUT I checked two eggs and they definitely looked full, with an air cell, which had definitely not pipped internally. But I swear when I opened the door to the coop I thought I heard a peep and I had a friend stop by while I was gone and check on mama and she thought she heard a peep too. But that could be wishful thinking who knows.

 

[MGG]

Ugh so my flashlight is terrible for candling. There was a lot of light leakage BUT I checked two eggs and they definitely looked full, with an air cell, which had definitely not pipped internally. But I swear when I opened the door to the coop I thought I heard a peep and I had a friend stop buy while I was gone and check on mama and she thought she heard a peep too. But that could be wishful thinking who knows.

Did you see any movement or veins? I don't know. Do you have any other chicks in the coop that might make a peep?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Did you see any movement or veins? I don't know. Do you have any other chicks in the coop that might make a peep?

No other chicks and all I saw was darkness and the air cell :/

I have looked at undeveloped eggs before and could see the clearly defined yolk so I know at least something is going on...