Eggstatic ChickyDoo
Songster
Hi all,
I know it's still too early since we're only at day 22, but I'd like to know at what point we should call it quits and pull a first-time mom off the nest. She got off to a good start, but still no chicks this morning and on Saturday morning (day 20) she was on the wrong nest when I went in. I have no idea how long she'd been there, her nest was cool (not as cold as the eggs I was collecting from un-tended nests, but WAY cooler than they usually are when she gets up to run for food and water). I grabbed one to candle and she started scolding and jumped back up there. When I candled it, it looked like about day 18-19, I think. The chick part was completely dark but the air pocket didn't seem any larger than usual, I didn't see any indication of beak pushing into the pocket, and certainly no movement or noise from it. I gave it back to her pretty quickly since she seemed distressed and I didn't want to mess up the good thing we have going (she's pretty sweet on me since I bring scrambled egg to her on the nest).
I've been keeping food and water next to her for the last week, since she was looking pretty bedraggled, but she often still comes running with the others in the morning at breakfast.
I know sometimes chicks are late and I'd be happy to have the chicks, but momma's looking a little bleary despite the food and water and I don't want to leave her there to day 28 if chicks "never" hatch after day 23, or whatever.
Thanks in advance!
I know it's still too early since we're only at day 22, but I'd like to know at what point we should call it quits and pull a first-time mom off the nest. She got off to a good start, but still no chicks this morning and on Saturday morning (day 20) she was on the wrong nest when I went in. I have no idea how long she'd been there, her nest was cool (not as cold as the eggs I was collecting from un-tended nests, but WAY cooler than they usually are when she gets up to run for food and water). I grabbed one to candle and she started scolding and jumped back up there. When I candled it, it looked like about day 18-19, I think. The chick part was completely dark but the air pocket didn't seem any larger than usual, I didn't see any indication of beak pushing into the pocket, and certainly no movement or noise from it. I gave it back to her pretty quickly since she seemed distressed and I didn't want to mess up the good thing we have going (she's pretty sweet on me since I bring scrambled egg to her on the nest).
I've been keeping food and water next to her for the last week, since she was looking pretty bedraggled, but she often still comes running with the others in the morning at breakfast.
I know sometimes chicks are late and I'd be happy to have the chicks, but momma's looking a little bleary despite the food and water and I don't want to leave her there to day 28 if chicks "never" hatch after day 23, or whatever.
Thanks in advance!