Eggs taking longer than 21 days.

[RiverviewHen]

I am on day 23. My hen is still trying to hatch the eggs. Anyone have eggs hatch after the 21 days

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Have you tried candling?

 

[RiverviewHen]

Yes I did. The eggs were almost all dark with a small air pocket at one end

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Hmmm I don’t really know. @sourland might be able to help?

 

[RiverviewHen]

I am wondering if I should continue to let the hen sit. I don't want her to starve herself

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I am wondering if I should continue to let the hen sit. I don't want her to starve herself

Yes, if they don’t hatch in a day or two, they probably never will, sorry.

 

[sourland]

Sometimes a hen does not sit 'tight' for the first couple of days and an incubation can go longer that the usual 21 days. I would give her a couple more days. You could even try the float test on the eggs to see if you can detect movement.

 

[RiverviewHen]

is there a way to tell if they have live chicks in them? they are brown eggs so kinda hard to see in them

 

[RiverviewHen]

Float test?

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Float test?

I think it means to put the eggs on water and see if they move.