How long should I wait.

[Moppet]

I had a hen go broody twice in 3 months. Since I can't have a rooster in the City, I decided to give Snow her hearts desire, and I got some fertilized eggs from a friend who has a small farm. Yesterday, day 20, 3 little chicks emerged. One is golden and looks like a tiger eye and the other two look like twins even though they cannot be, they are black with a cream bottom and bib. Anyway, there are 3 eggs left on the nest. Today, day 21, Snow has her new babies outside teaching the fine art of worm catching and ignoring her nest and the 3 remaining eggs. How long should I wait before I throw these eggs away? I would hate for a chick to hatch in a garbage can.

 

[red horse ranch]

I had a hen go broody twice in 3 months. Since I can't have a rooster in the City, I decided to give Snow her hearts desire, and I got some fertilized eggs from a friend who has a small farm. Yesterday, day 20, 3 little chicks emerged. One is golden and looks like a tiger eye and the other two look like twins even though they cannot be, they are black with a cream bottom and bib. Anyway, there are 3 eggs left on the nest. Today, day 21, Snow has her new babies outside teaching the fine art of worm catching and ignoring her nest and the 3 remaining eggs. How long should I wait before I throw these eggs away? I would hate for a chick to hatch in a garbage can.

I usually candle the remaining eggs as soon as she leaves the nest. Unless your temp is in the 90's the eggs have probably gotten chilled and died. But chances are if she left the nest after one day, she knows the other eggs won't hatch.