How long do chicks take to hatch?

[Break an Egg]

I have a broody sitting on some eggs and I haven't been sure of the hatch date. Yesterday around 4pm I went outside and checked on her. I pulled one egg out from under her and there was a nickel sized hole and I could hear cheeping. I stuffed the egg back under her and figured they would all be out by the morning. I go check on her and the eggs this morning, there has been no progress, none have hatched ( a few have pipped) and to make matters worse, she got all mad and ran off the nest. She was back on within 10 minutes, but could this have messed up the hatch? (shrink wrapped?) I don't want to mess with her anymore, but the wait is really killing me.

 

[calicokat]

I bet her running off did no damage. Hatching can take a couple days I've heard. Sounds like you came right at the beginning. I bet you'll have some fluffy butts by nightfall!!

 

[Break an Egg]

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I hope so, I am excited to get some phoenix chicks, I had some, but my neighbors' stupid dog ruined the hatch. She is sitting on 6 phoenix eggs.

 

[Gypsy07]

Oooh. Very exciting. I think if I were you I'd leave the broody well alone to just get on with things. Chickens might be total fluffy headed bird brains but on average I suspect they probably have a much better hatch rate than us humans with our fancy incubators...

 

[calicokat]

Those broodies are amazing aren't they? I had one this summer sitting in mid to high 90's - she pushed the eggs out from under her and arranged them right in front of her She must have know that her body heat with the weather's heat would be too much.

We fiddle and shmiddle with our incubators and candling - and they just do what their bodies tell them is right, and presto: baby chicks!

 

[Gypsy07]

I've never had a broody chicken. I'd really like to see one do its thang with some eggs though. Keep toying with the idea of getting some Cochins and giving them golf balls to encourage them. I've heard they make great broodies and mothers. I know Silkies do too, but I don't really like the looks of them, plus all my birds free range every day, and it's REALLY wet and muddy where I live. Not Silkie-friendly at all...

 

[Break an Egg]

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My hens are all good broody breeds. My buff orpington had a 100% hatch rate a few months ago, when she was only 8 months old. This hen is a phoenix, such a pretty girl, but flighty.

 

[Frenchchickens123]

Hi, I have only incubated but hope to have a hen go broody this spring. With mine they always take at least 24 hours to hatch some longer. When they pip and you see the small hole it will stay like that up until about 2/4 hours prior to hatch they don't do much really before that. In the last 2/4 hours they get more active and will make the hole bigger and rotate until they can push the shell apart and hatch. Hopefully you will have some poking out from under the broodys wings soon good luck!

 

[angelbabyamy]

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Gasp! Not like the looks of a silkie??!! They are the best mamas and set constantly! I even gave one of mine week old chicks I bought and she took care of them with no problem! My silkies have hatched peacocks twice and some chicks for me 3 times! Mine do okay in the wet weather- I'm in Oregon.

 

[pkw]

I have a white orpington sitting right now and I have no idea of her hatch date either. Hope everything goes well with your hatch