Need help ASAP my hen quit sitting at day 17 what do I do?

[tlbirdsmisty]

My hen has 13 eggs n all have chicks inside. We've had a lot of rain here lately. I heard her sounding off this morning n went out to check on her. Her and her eggs had ants everywhere!! She's up and the egg temp had dropped. Can I incubate for the next 3 days or what should I do!!! NEED HELP

 

[tlbirdsmisty]

I have in incubator till I know what to do

 

[song of joy]

Sounds like one or more eggs may have broken and attracted the ants. If you can, clean out the nest and replace all of the nest material. If there's an ant nest nearby, treat it to kill the ants. If the hen is still broody, you may be able to re-establish her on the clean nest so she can finish incubating.

If the nest is on the ground, you could raise it up a few inches and/or move it a few feet away to a better location by putting the nest in a cardboard box with one side cut away (but with a 4-6" lip to hold the nest materials). The bottom half of a plastic pet carrier works well too.

 

[scflock]

At day 17 I'm wondering if you wouldn't be better off to leave them in the incubator. She's done the hard work, and the ants may have scared her from coming back. I think I would take my chances with lockdown

 

[tlbirdsmisty]

Well I put them out there for a while n she never returned THEY WERE BAD. But no cracks that I could see. Their in lockdown temps 99.7 and humidity is at 75 is that good?

 

[scflock]

Well I put them out there for a while n she never returned THEY WERE BAD. But no cracks that I could see. Their in lockdown temps 99.7 and humidity is at 75 is that good?

Sounds good to me. I would take my chances with that

 

[tlbirdsmisty]

Thank u I just want these little babies to make it. I been waiting weeks to see their little faces!!! Their bantams!!

 

[tlbirdsmisty]

Ok day 21 in incubator humidity at 75 and temp at 99.8 still no hatches. What's wrong?

 

[dekel18042]

Ok day 21 in incubator humidity at 75 and temp at 99.8 still no hatches. What's wrong?

It can take more than 21 days, especially if they were disturbed and the temperature went down. Did you candle them when you put them in the incubator? Are you seeing any movement or are the eggs wiggling? Can you hear any sounds or chirps coming from the eggs?

 

[tlbirdsmisty]

No sounds no chirping yes I candled them n u couldn't see anything but air sack at bottom. Completely dark except 1 it was clear except for yellow spot on side. Now one started to ooze yellow stinky stuff I removed immediately after seeing the pin size drop on egg! It was near the point n I put to my nose it smelled awful. My other eggs have no smell! But no chirping....