Day 21- Peepless, pipless, anxious.

[cassbickford]

So, 7:30 EST this am makes 21 days that eggs have been in the incubator. I locked down on Sunday (18 days) and they were alive. I still do not have a peep or a pip. If no one has pipped, is it safe to open and candle the eggs? I lost power for a few hours on Sunday after lock down and I am hoping that did not affect them. I am biting my nails here!

 

[sumi]

Eggs don't hatch exactly on time, every time, even in perfect incubating conditions. Sometimes they'll hatch a bit early, sometimes a day late. I've seen this happen under broody hens as well. At that late stage in incubation, a power failure won't have much of an effect, so stop worrying! Sit on your hands, go for a walk, go bake some cookies, chat here with us on BYC, stop staring at the incubator, they'll come when they're ready

 

[cassbickford]

Trust me, I've been trying to distract myself.

First time incubating and I've had chickens forever. I feel like a paranoid first-time mum all over again!

 

[sumi]

I've been incubating for years and I STILL fret when hatch day comes

It's exiting stuff, isn't it?

 

[Buffilda]

Sumi is right, I wouldn't worry too much, even though it might hatch at a later time, there is still a good chance they are still alive. I would try to hold off on candling thought until day 24. If it helps to calm your nerves a little, I have a chicken egg on day 27 today, due to power outage on day 16 for an hour, I candled it on day 24, because i didn't see any movement or pips, and it was still alive, then again on day 26, and it was still growing and filling up the last bits of space in the egg. So I hope you have the best of luck on your hatch.

 

[cassbickford]

OMgosh, yes! I have an egg rocking too!! So excited.

 

[Bryam]

You should have pips very soon!