I candled my broody silkie's eggs the other night and both are developing nicely. I have been trying to hatch some coturnix quail but have had NO luck in the incubator, and it occurred to me the other day that I had 6 quail eggs in the incubator due the same time as my silkie's babies so....my silkie is now sitting on 2 OEGB eggs and 6 Pharoah quail.
First time brooder here! Silkie's eggs were fertile, placed under her on Saturday. Yesterday (Monday) 3 out of 6 hatched! But today I checked under her and all three had "Cracked" and one I had to discard because it was apparently not alive. Two are still under her and one is half out of the shell, been that way since at least this morning. She nipped at me this evening so....I am not sure if the other two will make it. The one I discarded had a foul odor. Worried these two will get turn sour (if they haven't already) and draw fire ants. Any advice? Just leave nature alone?!!?!?!
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If they are not out by 6:00PM tomorow and dont seem to move much they probably wont make it. And for the sake of the healthy chicks the unhatched should probably be removed. How long have they been trying to get out?
1. My broody is getting up once or twice a day for about 5 mins each time. I'm making sure that the food is tempting and yummy as I want her to chow down as much as she can.
2,3,4. I would let nature take it's course. If it doesn't work this time you will know to change things next time...Like a boy scout: BE PREPARED
5. You will need chick crumb until they are 6 weeks and then grower's pellets. This gives them all the vits and minerals they need. Your older birds may well decide chick crumb anf grower's is tasty. S*d's law, I'm afraid.
6 & 7. See what happens...change next time if you need to
8. If the eggs are of different ages they won't all hatch together. If it were me, I'd use this time as a trial run and see what suits you best