My bantams haven’t hatched at day 21!

[L12837H]

My incubator is a cheap one but I've always had great hatches in it. I set it to 38C which is 100.4F according to the temperature conversion calculator online and mine is a forced air incubator. It fluctuates a bit but that's always worked for me.

One thing you should have is an independent, calibrated thermometer as often the incubators aren't accurate in their measurements. Mine has a temperature dial but I don't trust it - I use my thermometer. Here's an article on how to calibrate a thermometer: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/

Measure the temperature at the level the top of the yolk would be sitting at (which will be different depending on if you incubate upright or on their sides).

It does take a few hatches to work out what works for your set-up (which is always a good excuse to hatch more eggs ).

I candled the eggs today and I could not see anything! They were all pitch black inside, I also tapped on them and put it next to my ear but I couldn’t hear a thing.
Is that a sign that they are going to hatch and they’re just late?

 

[Yardmom]

Look for a shadow in the air sack. This is an internal pip. Also watch for breathing.

 

[L12837H]

Look for a shadow in the air sack. This is an internal pip. Also watch for breathing.

So it’s ok if checked them out an hour ago and I’m checking them again later today?

 

[Flockincrazy]

I put bantam eggs on March 2nd 2021 and today is day 21st. They haven’t hatched and I haven’t heard them or seen them move. I candled them on day 16 and I could see they were alive but I don’t know anymore.
How much longer should I wait before taking them out and giving up on them? Please someone help me! This is my first time hatching bantams and I’m really scared, I really want them to hatch and survive.

Give them till day 25 sometimes it takes a little longer

 

[JaeG]

So it’s ok if checked them out an hour ago and I’m checking them again later today?

As long as none have externally pipped it's fine. Shine the light in the fat end and see if you can see anything. The flashlight on your cellphone is usually a good one to use as it's strong and small so you can direct it without all the extra glare you'd get with a bigger light.

 

[L12837H]

As long as none have externally pipped it's fine. Shine the light in the fat end and see if you can see anything. The flashlight on your cellphone is usually a good one to use as it's strong and small so you can direct it without all the extra glare you'd get with a bigger light.

Ok thank you! And I bought a specialized flashlight to candle eggs I will try to candle them again later today

 

[L12837H]

Give them till day 25 sometimes it takes a little longer

It’s day 23 and one of the chicks finally pipped! but it’s been more than 12 hours since it first pipped, I can hear it chirping tho. I’m just worried that it’s taken so long for it to hatch. In my previous hatch, all the chicks hatched right away after they pipped. So I’m not used to eggs taking this long to hatch

 

[rjohns39]

It’s day 23 and one of the chicks finally pipped! but it’s been more than 12 hours since it first pipped, I can hear it chirping tho. I’m just worried that it’s taken so long for it to hatch. In my previous hatch, all the chicks hatched right away after they pipped. So I’m not used to eggs taking this long to hatch

It's not uncommon for them to take up to 24 hours after they pip to start zipping

 

[L12837H]

It's not uncommon for them to take up to 24 hours after they pip to start zipping

Thank you! The chick hatched about 3 hours ago! But every time it tries to walk it falls down on its back with its feet in the air. It’s feet then start shaking really fast. Is that normal? Could there be something that didn’t form correctly?

 

[Flockincrazy]

It’s day 23 and one of the chicks finally pipped! but it’s been more than 12 hours since it first pipped, I can hear it chirping tho. I’m just worried that it’s taken so long for it to hatch. In my previous hatch, all the chicks hatched right away after they pipped. So I’m not used to eggs taking this long to hatch

Give it 24hrs you have to have a little bit of patience lol they're smaller and by nature a little weaker