Day 21 and chicks haven't filled the egg!

[ChelseaC]

Hi guys,
I still have my Silkie eggs incubating..its day 21 now. I know its a no-no but I have candled the eggs very briefly this morning to see whats going on...I did see movement from all the eggs, but no internal pips I noticed there is still a good amount of space in the eggs, should the chicks be filling the entire egg?? Could they just be on the small side? I'm so nervous! I have a small incubator and have my temp set at 37.6 degrees it does vary very slightly
Thankyou!

 

[ChelseaC]

 

[drewskimac]

I know it's too late now. But NEVER candle after lockdown day. ESPECIALLY on hatch day. Seriously, if your eggs are on day 21 and havn't filled the egg/pipped then just give them a few days. I have had quail eggs hatch on day 23 before... and they are supposed to take 17 days. Just because your eggs are on day 21 and have not shown signs of hatching does not mean anything is wrong necessarily. Be patient up to day 24, then you can candle. Don't open up that incubator again until the hatching is complete.

 

[ChelseaC]

Thank you drewskimac, can I ask why its so imperative not to open the incubator during hatch time?

 

[drewskimac]

Humidity. Humidity is crucial at this stage in incubation. If you open the incubator at this point all of the humidity will be sucked out of the incubator and you risk shrink wrapping your chicks.