First time hatching eggs!

[crystalbanks84]

we have a broody hen and we gave her 9 eggs. We've put her in a brooder box in the garage so the other chickens will leave her alone. For some eggs it's been 23 days and for others it's been 21. Still no sign of hatching. How long do you wait before giving up? And my broody has only eaten once in several days. No sign of her having had water or gone poop. But I got her to eat a little yesterday. Is that normal?

 

[CascadiaRiver]

Have you candled the eggs? What do they look like candled? How many under what type of hen?

 

[crystalbanks84]

I've floated them in warm water to see if I can see any movement and there hasn't been any movement. I'm wondering how much longer to wait

 

[crystalbanks84]

Is it normal for the eggs not to move? Should I still give some time?

 

[CascadiaRiver]

Is it normal for the eggs not to move? Should I still give some time?

Try candeling them, they should look full. and depending on age they should move, any pips? hear any cheeping? any hatch?

 

[moonlissaz]

We are "first-timers," doing this as a homeschooling project. We had 30 eggs originally, 2 were so dirty and cracked, I took them out of the bator. Two more looked "nothing" after candling on day 15. So we were down to 26. Early afternoon yesterday, first egg pips and as of right now, we have 8 hatched, dried & fluffed and in the brooder. Four more this afternoon, but one looks lethargic, small and has a large clot ( size of dime) attached. The others are stepping all over it and it looks as though it is struggling to breathe. Should I worry? Thanks in advance for advice.

 

[crystalbanks84]

We are "first-timers," doing this as a homeschooling project. We had 30 eggs originally, 2 were so dirty and cracked, I took them out of the bator. Two more looked "nothing" after candling on day 15. So we were down to 26. Early afternoon yesterday, first egg pips and as of right now, we have 8 hatched, dried & fluffed and in the brooder. Four more this afternoon, but one looks lethargic, small and has a large clot ( size of dime) attached. The others are stepping all over it and it looks as though it is struggling to breathe. Should I worry? Thanks in advance for advice.

That is so cool! This is a homeschool project for our kids as well! None of ours ended up hatching. I am not sure exactly what happened. We will try again soon when we have another broody.
I know some chicks just don't make it. Nothing that can be done to prevent it, it's just part of life. Congrats on all the chickies!

 

[WalnutHill]

I would isolate the injured chick and provide it a safe area. Once it has rested, evaluate its condition.