How long to wait for hatches after day 21?

[wjhuskey]

I've had only 7 chicks hatch out of my 34 eggs and its day 21 today. How long would you suggest giving the eggs to hatch? 5 more days? I heard someone say they've had eggs hatch as late as day 28. But I've had two die from prolapse and they made a big mess that I'm thinking will need to be cleaned up soon but I can't do it without opening the lid. Should I give the eggs until day 28?

 

[PoultryGirly]

If your temperature was low during incubation I would give them until day 28, but if the temperature was on point I would give them 3-5 more days. What is the temperature and humidity at now?

 

[wjhuskey]

The temperature was a little high during incubation. Now, the temp is about 100 with about 75% humidity.

 

[PoultryGirly]

Then I'd wait a few more days. If the temperature was too too high that's what could have killed the chicks. By a little high (temp wise) what do you mean (102*, 105*, etc)?

 

[rgvchicks]

i had my hatch scheduled for the 3rd of may but a week before hatching date we had several power outages the longest one was for 1 1/2 hrs. after power was back to normal, my hatching was on the 4th and still waited till the 6th when i had my last 5 chicks, i went ahead and candled the remaining 9 and were duds.....it was a good hatch though.....i had 85 out of 100 eggs.

 

[verlyn78]

I have a hen sitting on eggs it is now day 22. I don't know if they are all duds, and how long I should let her sit on them. She only seems to get off them that I have seen once a week and I am worried about the hen.

 

[springchicken10]

I have 11 eggs under a determined hen. The oldest ones are over 30 days old but she hasn't thrown them out of the nest. I candled one and it showed liquid moving around so I discarded it. Another broke all over the others making a stinking mess. I took the good ones out and rinsed them in water. I replaced the hay. The hen went back onto them. At this point I'm really confused and surprised. Should I candle all of them and feel comfortable throwing out any that aren't dark inside? Thanks

 

[ECiesielczyk]

Thanks for starting this thread. I don't have an answer but I also have a broody hen sitting on some eggs. She started with 12. I know that 9 hatched and one semi hatched and died and then there are two more eggs that haven't hatched. Today is day 22 (the rest hatched yesterday. Not sure how long to give the other two. She is still sitting on them and being a good protective mama so I was going to just let them go as long as she will sit on them until 28 days. Here's hoping you get some great advice so I know what to do too!

 

[ECiesielczyk]

Well today is day 23 and my hen abandoned the last two eggs this afternoon. Turns out when I cracked them, they weren't even fertilized.

 

[springchicken10]

I just started a thread asking if eggs are good if they are soild opaque (black inside) when they are candled. I waiting a ridiculously long time for a hatch, over 30 days. So I candled them all. Threw out all but the three opaque ones. I am wondering if my 4 year old rooster is "over the hill". He did produce three years ago.....the ongoing saga of chick brooding.