Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[lswatson111304]

AHHH! Still no babies. I'm going crazy. I know its early and of course I want them to hatch when ready...but I'M ready! LOL

 

[artsyrobin]

well, once you see a beginning pip, its still around twelve hours to hatch...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Patience My dear, and we all know we don't posess much of that...

AHHH! Still no babies. I'm going crazy. I know its early and of course I want them to hatch when ready...but I'M ready! LOL

 

[Fuffy]

Patience My dear, and we all know we don't posess much of that...

Quote:

Holding you hand from accross the pond

Patience! xxx

 

[silkie4]

So, whats the longest this takes? Last night we could hear the chick peeping inside the egg and there was a crack in the egg. Now 19 hours later my daughter says there is a small hole in the egg and it is still pecking and peeping. It sounds strong, when should I start to worry?

 

[BarnGoddess01]

So, whats the longest this takes? Last night we could hear the chick peeping inside the egg and there was a crack in the egg. Now 19 hours later my daughter says there is a small hole in the egg and it is still pecking and peeping. It sounds strong, when should I start to worry?

24 hours is quite common. Small hole means pip. Earliest I've seen mine hatch after pip is 6 hours. 12 hours seems to be common and 24 hours after pip isn't out of the question. Hang in there!!! And resist the urge to interfere. Worst thing you can do is interfere. Put on a good movie or something!!!!

 

[silkie4]

24 hours is quite common. Small hole means pip. Earliest I've seen mine hatch after pip is 6 hours. 12 hours seems to be common and 24 hours after pip isn't out of the question. Hang in there!!! And resist the urge to interfere. Worst thing you can do is interfere. Put on a good movie or something!!!!

So, the crack in the egg wasn't anything, but the hole is the pip? Can you tell this is the first time hatching? Does it hurt the egg/chick if we lift up the hen slightly to look at the eggs progress? I'm so impatient and trying very hard not to be!!

 

[artsyrobin]

they need that time in the shell to exercise and stretch- much as i want to 'help' them it can be very detrimental- i do talk to them though..

 

[artsyrobin]

you don't want to mess with the hen too much- depends on the hen- mine let me pick the eggs up as long as its not for long- one of my silkies will stuff the egg back as far as she can and then stare at me like, 'enough already!'

 

[artsyrobin]

question on candling, those blue eggs have a small airsac, but i can't see anything, cindylou is still brooding them- she will know if they aren't going to hatch, right?