Batam hen sitting on small & big eggs- Do all eggs hatch in 21 days? - from Lea

[Lea Johnson]

Hi Chicken Experts,

My name is Lea, I live in Malibu, Ca, right across from the ocean. I have 4 bantam chickens, 3 hens and 1 rooster. One of the (1 year old hens) started sitting on 15 eggs as of Dec. 4th. Her next has 10 small, walnut size eggs of her own, and I put under her 5 normal fertile eggs of big chickens. She accepted sitting on all the eggs no matter the size. Of course sometimes she is not covering them all with her wings because of her cute, small size, which is why I daily check her next and cover the open eggs with more straw to keep them warm.

My question is will all the eggs big and small hatch in 21 days? - Can anyone tell me and give me perhaps some more advice?
It's my first time raising bantams and I love how cute and smart they are, very friendly too! - I also have one bigger silky rooster in the same coop with the bantams, but they all get along just fine, the big rooster is very mellow and afraid of the feisty small bantam rooster who rules the coop.

My other questions is once everyone hatches, big and small should I separate them from the rest of the 2 bantam hens and the bantam rooster, and big silky rooster? - I need to make sure no harm comes to the newly hatched baby chicks.
Thanks so much for your great help!

Christmas Blessings to ALL & Happy Holidays!
Lea Johnson - 310-924-2168 cell - email: [email protected]

 

[chickengeorgeto]

....One of the (1 year old hens) started sitting on ...Dec. 4th. Her next has 10 small... eggs of her own, and I put under her 5 normal... chicken... [eggs] ... will all the eggs... hatch in 21 days?... My other questions is once everyone hatches, big and small should I separate them from the rest... ?

Chickens are chickens and chicken eggs should hatch in 21 days. I would let mama keep all the chicks by being raised together even though the standard size chicks should rule the roost there may not be too big-of--a discrepancy between the status of the standard and the bantam chicks.

 

[Lea Johnson]

Thank you so much for your quick reply! - we'll do as per your great advise!
Blessings, Lea

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

If it makes you feel any better, the last time I had a turkey hen sit on eggs she some of her own and some chicken eggs. Turkeys take 28 days to hatch, and I decided a week in to add some chicken eggs to her clutch. When they all hatched and she finally brought them off the nest, it sure was a sight! This big old turkey hen with her poults and chicks. As the poults grew, it got even funnier, they quickly dwarfed the chickens, but she loved and protected them all the same. Definitely not the same as your situation, but if my turkey can take care of tiny babies, your much smaller bantam should do a fine job with her mix

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Hi Chicken Experts,

My name is Lea, I live in Malibu, Ca, right across from the ocean. I have 4 bantam chickens, 3 hens and 1 rooster. One of the (1 year old hens) started sitting on 15 eggs as of Dec. 4th. Her next has 10 small, walnut size eggs of her own, and I put under her 5 normal fertile eggs of big chickens. She accepted sitting on all the eggs no matter the size. Of course sometimes she is not covering them all with her wings because of her cute, small size, which is why I daily check her next and cover the open eggs with more straw to keep them warm.

My question is will all the eggs big and small hatch in 21 days? - Can anyone tell me and give me perhaps some more advice?
It's my first time raising bantams and I love how cute and smart they are, very friendly too! - I also have one bigger silky rooster in the same coop with the bantams, but they all get along just fine, the big rooster is very mellow and afraid of the feisty small bantam rooster who rules the coop.

My other questions is once everyone hatches, big and small should I separate them from the rest of the 2 bantam hens and the bantam rooster, and big silky rooster? - I need to make sure no harm comes to the newly hatched baby chicks.
Thanks so much for your great help!

Christmas Blessings to ALL & Happy Holidays!
Lea Johnson - 310-924-2168 cell - email: [email protected]

Often times Bantam eggs will develop quicker and hatch at day 19/20 but not neccessarily. Also 21 is just a guideline. Most eggs hatch by 22 days, often times, especially with a slightly lower than normal average temp during incubation, they may be a day or two late. Some people believe in discarding the eggs after day 22 in the belief that if they did hatch they wouldn't be healthy or flock worthy. I, personally don't believe in throwing out an egg that might possibly have a living chick in it as I believe everything deserves a chance. My 11 week old rooster-my baby was hatched out on day 24. I am so glad I did not give up on him and throw out the egg because he didn't fit someone's time line.
As for seperating them, check out the broody hen threads. Many people that hatch chicks by broodies seperate them in the beginning to keep the other chicks from attacking. Some do leave them integrated.
*Another thing to consider is how you are counting the days. Day 1 should be counted AFTER 24 hours of incubation. Many people subscribe to the theory that it starts at set. That will make a difference if you are on day 21 or 22. My advice would be typically between 20-22 days, but not necessarily.

 

[Lea Johnson]

Thank you so much for your amazing, detailed advice! - I learned a lot from you!
God Bless You and all your family and chickens + any and all other animals you may have!
Lea

 

[Lea Johnson]

That's so funny, thanks for sharing your story with me! I can only picture in my mind how adorable and funny your baby chicks looked being towered by the giant baby turkeys!
And how sweet of mama hen to love them all the same! - God is so amazing by creating these adorable creatures with so much wisdom!!! - Lea

 

[Lea Johnson]

Raising Chickens is contagious! - the more you have the more you want because they have great personalities and you fall in love with them quickly!
I am also a bee keeper, I have 12 hives in my back yard and I am absolutely crazy about my bees! - Lea

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Raising Chickens is contagious! - the more you have the more you want because they have great personalities and you fall in love with them quickly!
I am also a bee keeper, I have 12 hives in my back yard and I am absolutely crazy about my bees! - Lea

I don't know about the bees but it sure is true with the chickens...lol good luck with yours!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I only have 1 hive, but I love my bees too! I find them fascinating, and the honey isn't a bad thing either