Days until hatch? Dutch bantams...

[katie1313]

Ok, so I got 3 Dutch bantams in the start of April. They were really mean to my other hen, who is a good bit smaller than them. I tried several ways to introduce them (one by one, the three separated, two separated and one out with my hen so the others could see the interaction, etc.) Long story short I didn't have enough room to permanently separate them, so I found the 3 newbies a new home.
There were two hens and a rooster and I saw them mate.
They left behind three eggs. My broody lady took over the best when they left. They left April 30th and the last egg was laid on the 28th.
Here's where the story takes a dark turn!
I figured the eggs were not good so I pulled them. I was going to trash them so I threw one to my resident crow. He cracked it and... To my absolute, utter horror... Pulled out a big black thing which was probably an almost complete chick. The parents were black. He was a good 30 feet away by that point so I couldn't see if it was live.

Is it possible to have that long of an incubation period?! I have always seen approximately 20 days give or take. I put the other two back under my hen. How long is too long to keep the eggs in there? She's so broody I literally have to pull her off the eggs and block her from going back in so she can eat and drink. I don't want her to get too thin sitting on these if they're not viable!

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
K

 

[Quails1]

I've never hatched Bantam chickens, but according to what I've researched, the incubation time is similar to most other chicken breeds; 21 days. But due to their smaller size, they may hatch a day or 2 earlier than the typical standard time requirements it needs before the eggs hatch.