Well, my last batch of bantams hatched out on the 18th day, without any issues with being "premies". Now, I have seramas, a few silkie mixes and some OEGB in the hatcher, on day 19, and one just hatched out. I thought that I had read about bantams maybe hatching closer to day 19 instead of 21, but then someone else said that they should all hatch on the 21st day. My incubator is not off, it's a 1588, and I checked my thermometer with several different thermometers. I was actually expecting these guys to hatch on the 10th, put them in the hatcher last night or the night before. Today, there was no excitement, except the usual temp/humidity check. Then, I went in to fill the water for the coturnix quail, and heard banging around in the hatcher, and one was hatching (had it's head in the shell still) and another was banging around. So... umm, when are banties SUPPOSED to hatch?
With Seramas, 19 days..although I say give or take, just in case. Other bantams.... Seems Ive heard they hatch early too.... Good Luck!
This is my first time hatching eggs, but I have silkies in my bator. This is day 19 for me and I don't even have a pip yet. Hopefully they are all alive and well. I have heard that bantams can start pipping as early as day 18. I'm still waiting for mine. Good luck
I have experience with Bantams that they "typically" hatch early, but can go anywhere over the three day spread. My very useless answer is when they want to! Dont give up all hope til too many days are gone, by day 24....my hatch over the past 3 days in my 1588 has been with Bantam Ameraucanas, Silkies, a NN, and a D'Uccle, they started on day 19 and stopped today on day 21....no predictability at ALL! So I say...they hatch when they want to! Stubborn things. I left home this morning with 2 large fowl Black Copper/EE mix hatched, 3 still pending....all put in with the already hatched Bantams...no rhyme or reason, is there? Good luck, but it's always a guessing game, and up to the chicks. Tina/tfpets
Bantams are susposed to hatch on day 21 just like a standard chicken. But many, many times they dont, they hatch early alot of time. Its not a big deal really, just suprising some times how early they start hatching.
Check the temp. in your incubator with another thermometer. Sometimes they are a little off and just a half of a degree will cause an early hatch. Bantams should go 21 days just like standards. I keep a battery operated digital on hand when my incubators are running for a second reading. If you are running a cabinet incubator you may have to have the thermometer re-calibrated. I have had bantams hatch at 20 days but that was because the temperature in the incubator was running a little high. Same with hatches that go over 21 days, your temperature is running a little low.
I heard on BYC that bantams often hatch a little earlier. I have 42 eggs, a mix of bantams and standards in the incubator, and while on day 20 the three to hatch were all bantam eggs, day 21 I am getting a mix of standard and bantams hatching out and there are lots of bantam eggs still to potentially hatch. (the temperature in the incubator was maybe a bit low overall, but still it's not like all the bantams are hatching first.)
OK, OK. Thought I had read everything, but apparently not! I wonder if mine will hatch early now? I have every calender marked to 'start' watching for the hatch on May 4th. Maybe, just maybe the chicks will make their appearance earlier?! I guess I'll find out! Now I picture myself with my nose stuck to the bator window for days!! LOL!
Quote:Yessss, thats the way it goes! Nose to the bator! I thought mine was fogging up from the inside once, too much humidity. PANIC! Just me breathing on it, had to back off a bit! The fog was on the Outside Have fun! Get some sleep, Enjoy! Tina
