My hen has sat on her eggs 21 days--no signs of pipping--what should I do??

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Hi there, my broody brahma mama Apple Bottom has been dutifully working on hatching eggs for 21 days. Only one has shown signs of life. So she's on 2 ceramic ones and the one that's alive. I last candled at day 13 and it was looking good. I've seen no signs of pipping and can't really get close enough to hear if it's moving inside. I also don't want to disturb her too much. Any thoughts on how I should proceed?

 

[cavemanrich]

Hi there, my broody brahma mama Apple Bottom has been dutifully working on hatching eggs for 21 days. Only one has shown signs of life. So she's on 2 ceramic ones and the one that's alive. I last candled at day 13 and it was looking good. I've seen no signs of pipping and can't really get close enough to hear if it's moving inside. I also don't want to disturb her too much. Any thoughts on how I should proceed?

Wait a couple more days, and hopefully it may hatch.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Perris]

x2 - be patient! Waiting and not knowing is really frustrating, but your chances are best if you just leave her be for another day or two

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

it's pipping!!!!!!!!

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Happy little baby born tonight. Relieved.

 

[Perris]

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

How long should I wait to make mama take a brief leave of the nest to eat/drink/poop, you think? While she was sitting on her eggs I had to physically take her off to do this bc she refused to defecate or eat or anything. Now she hasn't left the nest for almost three days and no signs of poop in the box. I have her set up in a little chicken tractor separate from the rest of the flock, but in the same yard with them. I don't want to be too much of helicopter mom, but since this is my first time doing this, I worry. I also want to make sure the chick is alright and healthy... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Perris]

is she still sitting on ceramic eggs? if so, remove them, just in case she is hanging on for them to hatch! if not, I would expect her to lead her chick out to food and water when she judges the time right. A chick can normally do 3 days on the absorbed yolk, so try not to worry Let her instincts be your guide - she instinctively knows what she is doing, better than we do

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Oh that's great info. She is still sitting on ceramic eggs bc I have day old chicks arriving today and thought I would switch them out with chicks. Do you think I should still remove them?

 

[Perris]

in that case yes indeed leave them till the chicks arrive then switch them; good luck!