I got 24 hatching eggs from a friend of ours on July 16. All they told me is that they were not incubated for a couple days before she sent them here by car. None came broken, they all looked pretty nice. Since I don't have an incubator, I sat them under my broody hen.
Now, only 17 eggs remain, as some have broken.
For the past couple weeks, I've been documenting the 17's growth and movement beneath the shell. All except for a couple of them have shown signs of life; pulsing veins, kicking, flinching, and fetus growth. Last I went through them all was July 29, the night before expected hatch day.
Day 21 was last Monday, July 30, and none hatched. I checked the eggs for holes, but none had tried to peck through. Still, three days after day 21, none have these signs. I candled a couple today, and some were pushing into the air sack at the big end of the egg. The eggs have gotten pretty dark inside since the last candling. I might go through them again tomorrow to see if I can spot anything and check that the majority are still alive and moving.
I think possibly the couple days that were not incubated impacted the time it has taken for them to hatch. It has been pretty warm here and the broody hen has been loyal to her clutch. What are some signs of soon hatching? Any red flags? I'd also like to know how I should treat the chicks who could hatch earlier than the rest; do I need to separate them until all the eggs get a chance to hatch, or would the broody become disturbed and leave the nest?
Thanks for Reading.
Now, only 17 eggs remain, as some have broken.
For the past couple weeks, I've been documenting the 17's growth and movement beneath the shell. All except for a couple of them have shown signs of life; pulsing veins, kicking, flinching, and fetus growth. Last I went through them all was July 29, the night before expected hatch day.
Day 21 was last Monday, July 30, and none hatched. I checked the eggs for holes, but none had tried to peck through. Still, three days after day 21, none have these signs. I candled a couple today, and some were pushing into the air sack at the big end of the egg. The eggs have gotten pretty dark inside since the last candling. I might go through them again tomorrow to see if I can spot anything and check that the majority are still alive and moving.
I think possibly the couple days that were not incubated impacted the time it has taken for them to hatch. It has been pretty warm here and the broody hen has been loyal to her clutch. What are some signs of soon hatching? Any red flags? I'd also like to know how I should treat the chicks who could hatch earlier than the rest; do I need to separate them until all the eggs get a chance to hatch, or would the broody become disturbed and leave the nest?
Thanks for Reading.
