We have had our broody on eggs for 23 days now, 5 of the 8 eggs hatched, how long should I take a gamble on the other 3 eggs? I didnt "harvest" these eggs myself so I cant know which were the fresher of them. Thanks in advance!
I would say the others aren't going to hatch. I had gotten 7 hatching eggs, two of which hatched. I read somewhere where only 30% hatch. 30% of 7 is 2.1, so I got my 30%. On day 24, I cracked the eggs, and there was nothing but liquid inside. Can you gently shake it and listen if it sounds *liquidly*? Jen
We will usually leave the eggs under a broody for 25 days or until she spends more time off the nest with the chicks she has than she does on the nest. When you remove the eggs from under her, put each one up to your ear and tap on it with your fingernail. If there is a live chick in there you should hear it chirp or peck the shell. If not you can pretty much just discard the egg.
Thank you, I would toss the eggs, but I just have this horrible fear of tossing viable eggs ready to hatch. I am very happy that 5 of 8 hatched (more than i thought would with a first time broody with eggs traveling across town and carried by my 4 yr old) lol I will check them tomorrow and see what is what, she is still sitting on them and is VERY protective of the eggs and the chicks!
