MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

They came from a store so they were at least a day old, probably 2-3

Thanks, that's very informative.

 

[MaryJanet]

I can’t help MJ. I have no experience. Just here for the journey and be supportive to you and Mary.

Thank you RC.

I genuinely am hoping and almost yearning for those little eggs to hatch. But I have to consider Mary too.

 

[Perris]

fwiw, in my experience the very gentle coo-cooing from the hen is encouragement to chicks to hatch; it is often the very first thing I hear. So there's a usually a significant time between hearing that and seeing the chicks. Don't presume it's over till the fat lady sings, as they say. If you are worried about Mary's hydration (no need to worry about food over these time scales), offer her a little fresh water on the nest; she'll drink if she needs it, then take it away straight after.

 

[MaryJanet]

fwiw, in my experience the very gentle coo-cooing from the hen is encouragement to chicks to hatch; it is often the very first thing I hear. So there's a usually a significant time between hearing that and seeing the chicks. Don't presume it's over till the fat lady sings, as they say. If you are worried about Mary's hydration (no need to worry about food over these time scales), offer her a little fresh water on the nest; she'll drink if she needs it, then take it away straight after.

She has water right beside her and I have seen her drinking from it on several occasions. I've been removing it and putting fresh water in daily.

 

[MaryJanet]

then take it away straight after.

Why is that important Perris?

 

[Perris]

I just keep food and water away from the nest. If it's close enough for her to drink from, a chick could fall in and chill rapidly.

 

[MaryJanet]

I just keep food and water away from the nest. If it's close enough for her to drink from, a chick could fall in and chill rapidly.

Ok, the opening is too small for even a tiny chick so I don't think that'll be a problem. However, if you think it wise, I can put marbles in the tray to make the chance of drowning even more remote.

 

[MaryJanet]

It occurs to me that if Mary gets up, I'll have missed the opportunity to give her chicks.

I then read about a warm water trick

If some of your eggs do not hatch after 21 days, use the warm water trick to see if they can hatch. This involves dipping the eggs in warm water. If they move and float, these eggs can be hatched into healthy chicks so they can be placed back in the incubator.​

From https://learnpoultry.com/incubate-pekin-bantam-eggs/ which is hardly authoritative, but any port in storm.

Any thoughts on this? Seems ridiculous at first glance, but maybe it's legit?

 

[Perris]

so they can be placed back in the incubator.

"back" - this is about hatching artificially, not with a broody. I think it's a very bad idea; not a port in a storm but a shipwreck.
Keep faith with Mary until she leaves the nest. She knows what she is doing better than we do. If she gives up on the eggs, so should you.

 

[Perris]

Ok, the opening is too small for even a tiny chick so I don't think that'll be a problem. However, if you think it wise, I can put marbles in the tray to make the chance of drowning even more remote.

I am struggling to visualise this - what opening? photo?