I am brand new

[Kelownachickens]

I have a million questions! How do all the eggs from one hen hatch on the same day when she obviously didn't lay them on the same day? How do you know which eggs to use for the incubator? what is their gestational period? Ok, there is a start! Thank you fellow chicken lovers!

 

[Kevin565]

. The only answer I have is that the eggs don't actually start growing until she sits on them. That means the day she starts sitting is when all of the eggs start their incubation period.

 

[mstricer]

Same as above. Good question, someone else might have wanted to know the answer.

 

[blueeyeddemon]

I have a million questions! How do all the eggs from one hen hatch on the same day when she obviously didn't lay them on the same day?The eggs don't start growing until incubated by the hen or incubated in an incubator How do you know which eggs to use for the incubator?Try the egg flaot test or candling That helped me a lot! what is their gestational period? 21 days is average but approximate. Heat and humidity in the incubator and during the summer, when the hen is brooding the eggs herself, can cause early hatch. Similarly in the winter when it is cold or the heat in the incubator is lower than 99.9 degrees F the hatch can be delayed by a day or two. It requires 21 days for an egg to hatch. Chickens don't get pregnant, they take 24 hours to produce an egg which leaves its body. When the hen decides it is time to be a mother hen, she goes "broody" and stays on that egg along with several more and all she can gather from other chickens. The hen sits on the eggs for 21 days and the eggs start to hatch. The mother hen then takes care of the chicks for about 3 months before starting to lay eggs again.Chickens do not become 'pregnant' they lay eggs which may or may not bare chicks. Ok, there is a start! Thank you fellow chicken lovers!

 

[theoldchick]

 

[Kelownachickens]

Thank you for some answers! I knew they layed eggs, I just didn't know for sure how long it takes for the chick to hatch. So, during the egg candling, what would I be looking for to say one egg is better than the other kinda thing? Also, how long is an egg good for if its not sat on? Viability, I mean...for example, can i take an egg that sat in room temperature for a week and still be able to hatch it? Thanks!

 

[sumi]

You can candle the egg to see if it's developing. Here's a good guide: Egg Candling Pics: Progression Though Incubation You must store hatching eggs in a cool place (not the fridge) for no longer than 10 days. After a week the chance of it hatching drops.

Edited to add:

 

[Kelownachickens]

Really neat pictures! So, would I just take whatever eggs I find in the coup? I am really excited to try this now! My rooster is gorgeous! I don't remember what breed he is, nor my hens...if I post pictures maybe some of you experienced owners can tell me. The hens were black as chicks, sold as good layers, and are still black with a reddish brown on head. And quite friendly. Can chickens and turkeys share a pen, if they are free ranged for the day?