Just need reassurance

[Chloesmama]

We are on day 20 of incubating 10 bantam Cochin/ silkie mixes and there has only been any movement by 1 or 2 eggs. I locked them down on day 16. At that time they all had veining and we're very dark and full.
I was expecting hatch to happen on day 18-20, but now here we are with very quiet eggs and no pipping.
When do you give up on bantam eggs? I am not ready to, but just need to figure out a timeline. I have 4 very excited kids singing to these eggs all the time. We are all excited and anxious.

 

[FarmInProgress]

You said that you put them into lockdown on day 16? Chicken eggs are supposed to go into lockdown on day 18 that might explain why because they still need to be turned for the other two days maybe...

 

[FarmInProgress]

And what was your temp and Humidity during both lockdown and incubation?

 

[Chloesmama]

From what I read bantam eggs can hatch early and need to be put in lockdown at 16 days.
Temp is set at 38 and humidity was between 40-50 for first 16 days and now is at 67-68. The incubator that I have has an automatic Turner and a fan.
The picture shows development and air sack at day 16 before lockdown.

 

[Offshoreorca]

My silkie egg didn't hatch until Day 21, sometimes they hatch early but more often they take the full time. Don't worry too much. Day 16 is a little early for lockdown, but they should be okay as turning is most important before Days 15-16.

 

[Chloesmama]

Thanks! Fingers crossed.

 

[Chloesmama]

Do you think I should turn them and see if they are pipping on the bottom?

 

[Chloesmama]

We have 1 baby! Pip to hatch in 2.5 hours. Non e of the others are showing any signs, but at least we got 1and the kids all got to see her hatch!!!

 

[Offshoreorca]

Yay! That's super fast for a hatch. You shouldn't need to turn them to see if they've externally pipped as long as they were set the right way up. I've had them pip on the bottom and make it out just fine too. It's when they pip at the pointy end (malpositioned) that I get a little concerned - although they sometimes do manage to hatch by themselves that way too, but often need help.

 

[Chloesmama]

Not sure if anyone will check here or if I should make a separate post. One chick hatched at 6pm yesterday and one overnight before 5 am. There are 3 more eggs that have pipped but seem to be taking their time. Two pipped last night and one about an hour ago. So maybe a while till hatch.
How long can the other 2 stay in without food or water? They are really pecking at each other too.