Day 21 and nothing yet.................

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Congratulations! So glad that Olive has a little family now!

amariemommy, I never thought about that. I haven't had any problems, but my hens lay really, really thick shelled eggs (impossible to make hard boiled eggs because they are so hard to peel!). I think Sharpies are fairly safe though, mine says "Safe, Non-Toxic", so I don't think it could do anything really bad to them. Thank you for telling me though, and I'll use a pencil from now on.

 

[AwallRooster]

Im now on day 20,and no signs of life in my eggs,I'm getting the feeling that the chicks have died,
Is there anything I can do at day 20 to check for life? ?? (

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Candle them, there are posts about it above. Just don't use a sharpie like I say, use a pencil.

 

[AwallRooster]

Candle them, there are posts about it above.  Just don't use a sharpie like I say, use a pencil.

 

It won't interfere with the "lock down "???

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

"Lock down"?

You say they are day 20, you might just want to wait a few more days. You never know.

 

[AwallRooster]

"Lock down"?

 
You say they are day 20, you might just want to wait a few more days.  You never know.

yes lock down is when you don't open or bother the eggs in the incubater. Like I said this is my first time using a incubater. Lol

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Oh, yeah, I'd just wait then. I'm talking about using a broody hen. I've only used an incubator once when I was like 9, so I don't know much on that line.

 

[tootsey]

Well, i am just an hour or so into day 23, and I still have just the two. I have seen movement from some of the other eggs but as yet there is no cracks or holes. I am still hopeful that I may get another little one. I am going to try and candle tonight as I dont want Olive sitting on them for many more days. She is looking after the wo chicks well but hasnt taken them to feed or drink yet. I have lifted them gently and set them into the feeder and they have been picking at the crumb themselves. Olive is determined to sit on the other eggs so maybe she knows something I dont!!!!!

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

I wouldn't worry about them not being nourished (although if she lets you handle them go ahead and show them how to eat and drink. For the water you should just gently lift them up and push their beak into the water for a second. Then set them down, they'll get the idea.), everybody has told me that they can survive off the nutrients in egg shell and all the good stuff that came out with them for 3 days. Not sure how true this is, but I have found hens with chicks about 3 days old that had never been out and they were find so who knows.

 

[tootsey]

I have moved the drinker and feeder nearer Olive, and when she started to eat and drink they came out from under her and started pecking at the food too. Not actually eating that much but I suppose now they both know how. I think I will candle the rest of the eggs tonight, as there is still no sign of any of the other six hatching. Olive still sitting tight. Hope to get a pic of salt and pepper (the chicks) for all to see.