Broody's Eggs Haven't Pipped, Should I be At All Concerned??

[roostersandhens]

I just moved her. When I first picked her up off the nest and put her in the large dog crate, she was really upset. But as soon as I put her 2 hatched chicks with her she calmed down a little. Then when I put her eggs in she relaxed completely. She is in the large dog crate, I put a sheet over it to give them privacy.

None of the eggs had pipped...

 

[Aphrael]

Sorry to hear there are no more pips yet. But I'm really glad she took the move so well! Now you can rest easier knowing she and the babies are safe and snug.

 

[roostersandhens]

Sorry to hear there are no more pips yet. But I'm really glad she took the move so well! Now you can rest easier knowing she and the babies are safe and snug.

Yeah, I'll actually get some sleep tonight! I am exhausted from worrying about them!

 

[roostersandhens]

No more hatched over night.. When i checked under her I didn't see pipping.
She was mad when I looked under though, because then her 2 chicks ran out. She had trouble getting them to go back under, because they didn't want to. Little trouble makers!

 

[Aphrael]

They are perky enough to want to go explore now!

Did all the eggs go under her at once? If so, what day are they on? You said you had them in a dog crate. I would set up dishes of food and water if you haven't already. Being contained in the crate, the babies can go eat and drink without venturing far from mom.

 

[roostersandhens]

They are perky enough to want to go explore now!

Did all the eggs go under her at once? If so, what day are they on? You said you had them in a dog crate. I would set up dishes of food and water if you haven't already. Being contained in the crate, the babies can go eat and drink without venturing far from mom.

Yes. They are on day 24. We have food and water in there for them

 

[Aphrael]

Yes. They are on day 24. We have food and water in there for them

Day 24 I would pull them out and check for any pips. If there is still none, I would check them to see if they are alive. You don't want her sitting indefinitely on eggs that will never hatch while she has babies to care for. I would candle first and see if you can see any internal pips. If there are none then you could do either the float test or pip a small hole in the air sac part so that you can see inside and check for life. The float test is less invasive of the two.

 

[roostersandhens]

I candled 3 eggs: First one I was pretty sure had nothing that developed. Second egg must have had a really thick shell because the light wasn't even shining through - so all I saw was an egg.. Third egg I am positive did not develop. There are 5 eggs I didn't candle.

 

[Aphrael]

At this stage (aka ready to hatch), the egg should be completely full of chick. You should only see the light shining in the air sac, the rest will look solid and dark. If you have eggs that the light shines all through, then they were either infertile or early quitters. You can discard those.

 

[roostersandhens]

Thought I'd let everyone know:
Just 2 chicks hatched Which we are happy about since we didn't really want more chickens, Rhonda hid the eggs and all..

That picture was taken several weeks ago, they are much bigger now and Rhonda has already left them.