Day 21

[Langshanlover1]

Can I candle my black langshan bantams on day 21 to see if they are still alive? I'm starting to worry because I have not seen any peeping out yet

 

[PineSummit]

You can if you want to. I'd just take one or two eggs out as quickly and carefully as possible. But another good option is just to wait a bit longer as eggs don't always hatch on day 21.

If you do candle, try to see if you can see a little beak in the air sac. Also tap the egg lightly and see if you can hear little taps on the shell. If you see/hear the beak/taps, put the eggs back and just wait another day or two.

 

[lazy gardener]

I'd wait until day 24. Is this your first hatch? If so, your thermometer may have been off, giving you a later hatch. Better to wait. Did you candle when they went into lock down, and did they look good then??

 

[Langshanlover1]

I've only hatched ducks. I bought the langshans I have now from a breeder for show and once the hens started laying I decided to just put the eggs in the incubator. The tempature has stayed at around 100F, but the humidity might be a little high. I did candle them at day 18 and the air sac was a little on the small side but I didn't think it was anything to worry about at that moment. I did touch one of the eggs and I'm pretty sure I felt movement, but I'm still worried about them. I'm really looking forward to these chicks hatching! I might have a broody hen with ten eggs under her so hopefully if these don't make it hers will!

 

[Strayahen]

First of all - good luck with your hatch, hope it all works out
Thought I might add my own question to this thread as it relates to day 21 nerves as well (I have also posted under my introduction thread - yep, I'm a newbie!).

I had 5 beautiful chicks hatch yesterday. It is now end of day 21 and the remaining 7 eggs haven't pipped yet (1 I am almost sure isn't viable). I know I just have to wait, but just wondering if it is normal considering that the first five hatched on day 20, with 4 of those hatching before 7am. I had assumed (for no good reason really) that they would all hatch within 24-36 hrs of each other?
I candled at day 7 and 14 - all but 1 looked good. The eggs still incubating have all moved at various times, so I am pretty sure there are some chicks in there. Temp and humidity have been kept pretty consistent, with humidity generally at 70% since day 18 (mild variation between 69-72).
Any nerve calming advise would be appreciated! I have tried staring at them while uttering encouraging words - but to no avail

 

[Langshanlover1]

Did you take the chicks out of the incubator or not? The sound of the other chicks in there will encourage the remaining chicks to start piping and if you did take them out the humidity might of went down too much. If this did happen when you took the others out then try putting warm paper towels under then eggs, as fast as you can so you dont lower it anymore. Good Luck!

 

[AmericanMom]

I take chicks out once they are dry, I have never had a problem with shrink wrapping. Those little buggers can play havoc with a late hatching chick, do it quickly.. My humidity drops for a few min but its not so bad that it causes issue.

Some folks say wait, some like me don't.. Its really up to the individual.

 

[Strayahen]

Yes, I did end up taking them out. They had hatched by 7am day 20 (overnight) - and I took them out sometime mid-afternoon. I got a bit worried by how much they were causing the unhatched eggs to bang into one another. Humidity is definitely ok - we did the removal in stealth mode - one person opend just enough to remove chick then closed it again, it hasn't dropped below 69 degrees centigrade. I have been really careful with both temp and humidity throughout incubation.

 

[Langshanlover1]

I used to never wait, but one time while hatching ducks I had 27 eggs in the incubator and I had 8 not make it because of shrink wrapping after I took the other ducklings out. Ever since this happened I have waited the 24 hours out before removing any unless there is something wrong.