Hatching my first batch

[Sally T]

Hi all.. I'm in real need of your help.
I have a broody hen who has basically been broody since I got her so I decided to put eggs under her so she can have chicks.. we don't have a cockerel so I bought fertilised eggs. She has been sat on the religiously for 3 1/2 weeks now and there are still no chicks... how long do I wait, what can I do to see if they are even alive? I have never done this before so I need all the help I can get.

Look forward to your advise

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

23 days is the longest she will wait. Did you mark the first day?

 

[Sally T]

23 days is the longest she will wait. Did you mark the first day?

It was July 5th at 4pm when I put them under her... that's 4 weeks tomorrow She is still sat on them

 

[Sally T]

Does that mean the whole lot are dud? I put 6 under her

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

27 days?! Those eggs are definitely bad. Take them out carefully. You could open one to inspect, but not inside, and use gloves.

I would just give her a couple chicks at night. She is so broody she will probably just take them.

 

[Sally T]

27 days?! Those eggs are definitely bad. Take them out carefully. You could open one to inspect, but not inside, and use gloves.

I would just give her a couple chicks at night. She is so broody she will probably just take them.

Ok so I need to get little chicks and put them in with her? I'm gutted they haven't hatched

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Yeah, you pay good money for hatching eggs and.... Well, look at the bright side, you can get sexed chicks, now.

 

[Sally T]

I have just cracked one open and the chick is moving around inside What do I do now I don't want it to die

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

I have just cracked one open and the chick is moving around inside What do I do now I don't want it to die

At day 27?! Is it a duck or what?

Well, that doesn't matter right now. Is it peeping? How much did you open it?

 

[Sally T]

At day 27?! Is it a duck or what?

Well, that doesn't matter right now. Is it peeping? How much did you open it?

Haha well we will see soon lol! Ok so there is a fair chunk taken from the shell however I didn't damage the sack so I can see the chick moving. I have put some celotape over the gap and returned it to the nest