Day 21, nothing happening!

[jjhllnd]

I know I am probably being impatient. Today is day 21 and we were really looking forward to watching eggs hatch. I have 2 dozen eggs in the incubator. How many days past 21 can it take for the eggs to hatch. My temp has been kept between 99-101 but my humidity has been high. The whole time it stayed between 60-70. I had a hard time keeping it down. I am new to this so candling them wasn’t much help since I didn’t know what I was looking for exactly. Can it take 22 or 23 days? How long should I give them? Thanks chicken lovers!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I've had eggs hatch at 26 days

 

[jjhllnd]

I've had eggs hatch at 26 days

Thank you that’s encouraging

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

I know I am probably being impatient. Today is day 21 and we were really looking forward to watching eggs hatch. I have 2 dozen eggs in the incubator. How many days past 21 can it take for the eggs to hatch. My temp has been kept between 99-101 but my humidity has been high. The whole time it stayed between 60-70. I had a hard time keeping it down. I am new to this so candling them wasn’t much help since I didn’t know what I was looking for exactly. Can it take 22 or 23 days? How long should I give them? Thanks chicken lovers!

I've read where some eggs will still hatch at day 26, so be patient. That humidity was really high. Not to be negative, but be prepared to handle splayed legs and or curled toes as fast as possible. Also get some vitamins & electrolytes to put into their water. I'm having issues now myself with 4 week old chicks, due to high incubation humidity. I will keep you in my thoughts and hoping for the best outcome for you and your new chicks.

 

[jjhllnd]

I've read where some eggs will still hatch at day 26, so be patient. That humidity was really high. Not to be negative, but be prepared to handle splayed legs and or curled toes as fast as possible. Also get some vitamins & electrolytes to put into their water. I'm having issues now myself with 4 week old chicks, due to high incubation humidity. I will keep you in my thoughts and hoping for the best outcome for you and your new chicks.

How do you handle the splayed legs and curled toes? Is it an electrolyte problem?

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

How do you handle the splayed legs and curled toes? Is it an electrolyte problem?

It comes from high humidity during incubation, during the developing process. In the search bar here at the top, search for splayed leg and curled toes. These great information and pictures to be found. Have on hand some bandaids, basically. To make little leg splints or sandles/shoes. Its best to handle it asap, while they have 48 hours to absorb their egg yolks and won't need feeding or watering. It helps in giving you and them a head start, if it occurs.

 

[jjhllnd]

It comes from high humidity during incubation, during the developing process. In the search bar here at the top, search for splayed leg and curled toes. These great information and pictures to be found. Have on hand some bandaids, basically. To make little leg splints or sandles/shoes. Its best to handle it asap, while they have 48 hours to absorb their egg yolks and won't need feeding or watering. It helps in giving you and them a head start, if it occurs.

Thanks so much.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Thanks so much.

You're welcome, no problem. Also be ready, but not impatient, to assist hatch. Go slow and give them time, also links here to be found for that. Spend the next hour reading up on all the above. That is the BEST advice I can give anyone. Its better to know ahead of time, than to be panic struck like we were and waiting for help and answers. *hugs* Best of luck, keep us updated, I'm excited for you!

 

[jjhllnd]

Still nothing lol I am remaining hopeful.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Still nothing lol I am remaining hopeful.

It could be due to the high humidity. I would candle a few eggs myself. I know a lot of people will scream dont open the incubator, but both of my uncles hatched chicks yearly as they ran chicken farms. They candled daily, to keep the incubators free from quitters and possible germs from the quitters. You can find all sorts of videos on YouTube on how to do this and what to look for. Also, you can hold the egg to your ear and see if you hear any peeping. Mother hens leave the nest daily, to poo, eat and drink. Candling will not hurt the eggs, just do it in a dark room with no cold draft, and be quick. Remove 3 eggs, candle, and put the 3 back. Only open the incubator long enough to do it.