No chickens :(

[kate24]

My hen has been sitting on eggs for 26 days now. The chicks are fully developed but never hatched, why??

 

[BeccaB00]

Maybe try and candle them? Momma hen ain't gonna be happy, but they're just going to rot under her if you don't find out. Somtimes they'll hatch extremely late.

 

[kate24]

What will candling do?

 

[BeccaB00]

You can candle them and make sure they're still alive. Are you sure if they are alive or dead?

 

[kate24]

Ok so how would I tell if they are alive when I candle them?

 

[Mahonri]

We still have feed stores here with chicks. Buy some to exchange for the eggs and slip them under her at night....

It's worth a shot... then watch her closely the morning after.

 

[BeccaB00]

normally you'll see movement. But somtimes it's hard to tell when they're fully developed cause the egg is normally almost completely black. If theres no air sac you'll know ones tried to hatch but didn't, and I have seen this in my own eggs before. If they are dead, it's possible that the inside of the egg will look like somone shook the egg, and made the yolk look like jello. but candling is no for sure way to tell. I'd say keep the eggs for a couple more days, and if nothing happens, throw them out.

 

[kate24]

Thanks Becca. I cant think of any reason why they would not have hatched, very frustrating! I will wait a few more days.

 

[BeccaB00]

your very welcome, and I know how frusterating it can be, I had a hen once that was the best hen we had at hatching eggs and mothering chicks, but the last couple times shes tried to hatch eggs every single one of them died. And for a reason that we never found out. I'm very sorry that no chicks hatched, but hopfully they'll hatch over the next few days, and if not, then better luck next time!