How do I know if and when my eggs are going to hatch?

[lovinmychickens]

We put eight eggs in our bator on July 12, I think yesterday should have been 21 days, this is our first time trying to hatch, are we doing okay or do you think they are bad. What signs should we be looking for and what exactly does "pipping" mean. i see that alot on here! Please help us, we want to see these babies soooooooooooo badly but don't want to harm them if they are not ready. Also, do the eggs rock at all, cause we swear we see the one egg moving. Thanks to all!

 

[silkiechicken]

Well, if they were fertile and temps were right, they should have pipped yesterday. If temps were low, they could be pipping today or tomorrow. Pipping is the term used to describe when the chick first pops a hole into the shell on it's way out of the egg. Once it pips, expect about 12-24 hrs before the chick gets out. Did you candle at all? Right now you should have the humidity high in the bator and not open it. If you had candled at day 18, the day you stopped turning them, you would be able to see a big black spot where the chick is. If it was clear, it was infertile or had died early on. It's a game of wait and see now. Good luck

 

[lovinmychickens]

Thanks so much for the help. Yes, we did have the tempature correct, not to sure about humity, because we don't have anything to adjust that, we have the little giant bator. Also, yes we did candle and we have seen babies in there. How about the egg moving today, is that normal, does that happen and if so , how long till hatching?

 

[silkiechicken]

Ah, I answered in your other post, I say if not pipped yet, will pip very soon, with your last hatches being as late as sunday.