Hatching Wild Bird Eggs - Worried Sick!

[BirdLover88]

Okay, so we're now at Day 17....and still no hatch. It's interesting, though, because the air sacs have grown and I *think* the babies have grown....? I'm tentative about throwing them out. Thoughts?

 

[kuchchicks]

Is there still movement? Did you research incubation length? If still moving i would wait! Youve come so far.

 

[BirdLover88]

Yes, there is movement and I can see an eye (or some darkish blobby thing), so I suppose I'll wait a few more days. After more research, I found out that the average incubation in the wild is 10-13 days, in an incubator it can be nearly double that. They're quite interesting little birds, actually. They hatch as soon as there is movement detected in the host eggs (even if they're not fully developed). But without the host eggs, they wait until they fully develop, which can take quite a bit longer. So, I guess I'll wait for a while longer....

 

[WalnutHill]

Either that, or start tapping gently on the shells and making chick noises at them.

 

[kuchchicks]

I am really excited to see these little guys! Post as soon as you have something.