First time hatching - help please!

[SLDiva]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can offer any hints or tips for me?

I'm a first time chick-mum-to-be - we're using a broody Pekin who's been a mum before, but not for us. She's been on six eggs for... well, yesterday was day 21 but we did do it quite late at night so I don't know if that affects the timings?

We've candled at around 10 days and 18 days and removed two eggs that there was nothing happening, leaving three eggs that definitely had something in and one that we weren't sure about.

Day 21 came and went yesterday. Wendy, the chook, is very restless - she's moving around a lot in the coop, shuffling the eggs here there and everywhere, and seems to be crooning quite a lot too - I don't know if this is a sign of something happening or if she's getting sad! We've not heard any chick noises and the eggs (from what I can see) all seem to be in tact.

I guess my questions are:
- How long should we wait before giving up?
- Is there anything we can do to help her along?
- What could have gone wrong?

Thanks

Freya

 

[SLDiva]

A bit of additional information - she just came out for something to drink so I quickly felt the eggs - they all feel cool to the touch - that can't be a good sign, right?

So new question, has anyone got any tips for sticking chicks under a broody who's had a failed hatch?

Thanks

Freya

 

[familyfarmers]

Hi Freya, I would love to help, but this is my first time hatching under a broody hen too. I am getting worried about my hen. She has barely moved since we set her on the eggs, and they arent due to hatch til the 19th. Could she die sitting on the eggs?

 

[SLDiva]

This is probably a case of the blind leading the blind, but I think you can lift them once a day to encourage her to eat and drink. Same time, every day. We've got two setting hens - one serviced herself and the other needed a bit of encouragement! I don't think they'd die ... I hope!