Day 22 with broody and still waiting . . .

[titus2mommy]

We were expecting at least some pips by yesterday. Now we're on day 22 with 8 eggs remaining under our broody Plymouth Rock.

We've candled several times, and at day 18 all the eggs were equally developed at looked to be at the right day age.

She's always on the nest these last 2 wk, but the first week there were a few periods she was off but we're not sure how long. Sometimes another hen would be on her eggs and broody would be on the other nest box. Still, the eggs looked to be on track for a hatch yesterday.

This is just our second experience with a broody, but last year's broody hatched on day 21.

I'm getting nervous. Just checked them again, but nothing's going on. What's the longest you've had to wait for a hatch with a broody? Somebody please tell me sometimes it takes an extra day or two with a broody and that everything will be okay.

Thanks,
Jill

 

[titus2mommy]

Oh, nevermind. It's 6 hours since my post, and we have one hatchling and another pip. Hurray!

~Jill

 

[CherBru]

That's good news! How many do you have?

 

[titus2mommy]

Well, originally we crammed 14 eggs under our hen, lost 5 to being infertile or under-developed, lost another one to to being pecked/cracked by by another hen. That leaves us with 8.

We have a mixed flock with a Brown Leghorn roo, and I can't wait to see what these little guys are going to look like.

~Jill

 

[Arielle]

new babies are sooooo eggciting!!! Hope all has gone well!

 

[titus2mommy]

We have two more this morning, with more having pipped. Looks like we're on track. I just wonder why we're "behind schedule." I know, I know, the chicks didn't read the manual . . .

~Jill