How long do I wait?

[soukilee93]

I have 8 eggs that I set under a broody hen. Six of them hatched on day 20, 2 are showing no signs. I am wondering how long do I wait to do something and what do I do?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

It is best to wait 3 days after the 21st day as I have read many stories of chicks hatching even that late. You can candle them with a flashlight to see if they are clear if you wish.

Keep food and water within reach of mama hen so she can sit on her eggs AND teach her chicks to eat and drink without standing up. She may keep setting on them until they hatch too.

 

[drexl]

I have had some 6 week old Brabanter eggs with Frizzles sitting on them. Should I just throw them away and start over? Haven't read other threads to know what is regular egg incubation period.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/2902/2902-1090/2902-1090_pdf.pdf
here's a handy guide from virginia tech (virginia cooperative extension) on incubating eggs that you might find useful.

The mama hen can take a couple of weeks to collect her clutch of eggs before she sets and then once she starts setting they all develop together (unless the temperatures are hot outside). I keep my incubator at 99.5 degrees. So if you have 100 degree days that can start the development process of the eggs.

So you might learn to candle with a flashlight to see what is going on inside the eggs... there is a good candling thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...g-candling-pics-progression-though-incubation

 

[soukilee93]

Mama is up and moving around with her chicks that have hatched. The other two eggs are still in the nest. Do you think she will go back to them? Or will they be okay without her? We are on day 22 now and no signs. The weather is in the 100's during the day. The eggs are too dark to see through, they are chocolate eggers.