Helping Chicks Hatch

[Chicken Dave]

i am new at hatching eggs. i put four eggs in an incubator and when i candled them i could see little chicks inside. now it has been 21 days and they havent hatched. i was wondering if i should put a hole in the shell to help the chick hatch? if not what should i do with the eggs if they dont hatch?

Thanks for your concern,
Chicken Dave

(i have 4 rhode island red hens,2 aracauna hens, and one old english bantum rooster and 3 hens)

 

[hazelton farms]

Give 'em a little bit longer. If they are still moving around, they are ok. Can you candle them again and check? You should see some heads above into the air sac at this point. It's possible your heat was just a smidge low which would make them take just a bit longer to hatch, if they are still alive.

Stacy

 

[babyboy1_mom]

First, welcome to BYC.

I would leave them alone. Sometimes it takes a little longer than 21 days. It depends on if your temp. was running low. Every time that you open the incubator, then you lose valuable humidity. It doesn't matter if you open it quickly, you still lose the humidity that the chicks need in order to get out of the egg.

I would not try to candle them at this time. I would just give them another day or two.

Good luck.

Dorothy