Letting the Hen sit on eggs... day 21 Advise? :::update with pics!!:::

[Jay13]

Ok, its day 20 that my chicken has been sitting ever so faithfully on her eggs... I so anxious to find out how many will hatch! I decided not to bother her as she is a first time mom and I want to avoid issues if possible. If she goes much longer, what do you all suggest? How long do I let her sit before I go in and investigate? I know the eggs are fertile as I see the "bullseye" thingie on all the other eggs we eat..

Jay

 

[DukeDawg528]

I let mine set for about 25 days before I bust the eggs...

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Listen carefully when you go to check on this hen. You may be able to hear the chicks peeping inside their eggs, and hear the hen buk-buk-bukking back to them. I set my hens at night so I am always confused about the day count, but it seems they hatch on day 20. Your hen/eggs could take 1-2 days longer.

After that, you might want to candle the eggs, even though they're fertile there are many reasons they won't completely develop. If they haven't you could try again, give her new fertile eggs to sit another 21 days on. After that, if they don't hatch, I'd let her go back to her flock.

 

[Jay13]

Ok, I went out and listened really carefully, the rest of the chickens in the yard were even cooperative and were quiet too, but I can't hear anything.... How long should I wait?

 

[goldnchocolate]

You might be surprised to find that she has the chicks underneath her

. I went out to look at my setting hen yesterday and was surprised to see 2 tiny faces peeking out at me from under her breast. At other times I have gone out there and can't see any chicks but I know that there are at least 3 because I have seen them at other times.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

If you're certain of your count of the days, then perhaps you should candle the eggs tonight. If they look full & solid, not runny, you could give them another 1-2 days. The average is 21 days, but there are a few instances where they go to day 22 or 23. When you're candling the eggs, give them a gentle tap with your fingernail & hold it to your ear, you might hear an answering peep.

There are many reasons why fertile don't develop, or develop completely. If these eggs don't hatch, you could try to break your broody or give her fresh eggs to try again.

 

[Jay13]

Yay! All 9 of the chicks hatched! I went out yesterday morning to collect eggs and they were all running around with mama hovering nearby. Do you all remove the egg shells from the nest afterward or do you let them be? Also, when should I allow the chicks and mama hen back into the general population?

Here is a pic of the proud mama:

sorry about all the silly questions.

Jay

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

very cute! So happy for you chickies are so fun.

 

[dancingbear]

Beautiful chicks, and a fine mama! I give mine about 3 days before I turn them loose with the rest of the flock, if I have them separated at all. That gives them plenty of time to be active, and strongly bonded with mom, and familiar with her commands.

Right now I have 9 broodies, no way to isolate all of them. The ones that hatch out in the midst of the whole flock have a little higher mortality rate, but still about 90% survival. The smartest and the strongest. For overall flock health, and best genes, that's probably better for them. The best, strongest and smartest, survive to reproduce.

Is mom a Dominique, a Barred Rock, or something else? Are the chicks hers, or from other hen's eggs?

 

[Jay13]

The mama is what the locals here call a "Dominecker" which is what they call any barred bird apparently...lol The chicks are from the community nest and I don't think she had laid in quite a while by the time I gave up and let her sit on eggs.

3 days? Wow, alot less time than I would have thought. I saw the way my flock attacked some mice that decided to nest in their coop, was worried they would do the same to the chicks.....