Hatch day and nothing!

[justcackle]

I have a bantam setting on 9 of her eggs. It has been about 21 days and nothing is happening. I do not know if they are fertile. I candled and they were dark with air sac. Her nest is out in the open in my garden! I tried to move her but she would not stay. I do have her fenced off and was planning to move her and chicks as soon as they hatched. Question, should I move her now? The nights are getting cooler. Or should I put eggs in incubator? Or just leave her alone?

 

[SIMZ]

Since it's so close I would leave her for a few more days to see if any chicks hatch first. I've tried moving hens right at the hatch date (because of flooding - an emergency!), and it was very stressful for all of us. If you're sure it's been about 21 days and there aren't any chicks in 3 or 4 more days then they're probably not going to hatch.

 

[TTracy]

At this point you should be able to hear the chicks pipping. When was the last time you candled? The first time my Dory went broody I think I was more worried than she was. I was just about to give up hope then suddenly one morning 1 hatched, then over the next few days they all hatched one by one.

 

[chicken pickin]

Any update today?

 

[justcackle]

I checked this morning and nothing! I candled them and several are real dark. I am just going to leave them and see what happens. I'll let you know if we have babies!!!

 

[YangGuangLei]

Anything?

 

[justcackle]

Nothing!

When do I give up?? I'm so sad. My little hen is still setting on them.

 

[TTracy]

oh.thats so sad! Its hard to give up. Maybe you could get her a couple of chicks to stick under her?

 

[chickarooo]

Well just leave it for a few days sometimes babies come late once mine didn't come till day 24