Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[Sallysec]

I keep picturing chicken dumbells and chicken legwarmers ...

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Roger has two eggs left. One of hers was a "helper" egg that I removed. I held both of the other two eggs to the light and they are dark inside. But are we not getting past the deadline real soon for them to hatch? But big broody has one hatching right now so I am confused. I read one comment on the broody thread that said after 24 hours the eggs should be removed so the broody will focus on her chicks. Guess mine proved that wrong. I got eggs hatching three days apart

 

[Sallysec]

Yanno, OK you bring up a great point, if chickens will sit on fifteen eggs in nature or a dozen or whatever....they are laid over a twelve or fifteen day period...wouldn't that mean delays by at least a few days should be normal? I wouldn't take them away...I would let nature work its wonders. If you don't see the little chicks getting food and water than intervene...but I'd leave the eggs.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Yanno, OK you bring up a great point, if chickens will sit on fifteen eggs in nature or a dozen or whatever....they are laid over a twelve or fifteen day period...wouldn't that mean delays by at least a few days should be normal? I wouldn't take them away...I would let nature work its wonders. If you don't see the little chicks getting food and water than intervene...but I'd leave the eggs.

Remember that the embryos all started development at the same time. However, their rate of growth varies sufficiently that the first chick may be out of the shell 16 hours earlier than its slowest sibling. The hen has the wisdom to know that she must not leave the nest early, and is quite patient in waiting for the last chick to hatch. The early arrivals hatch with the last of the yolk material in their systems, and are thus able to wait awhile without feed or water. In practice this means that one typically waits until the following morning for the last chicks to hatch. Any egg showing no sign of pipping at this point is unlikely to hatch. If you shake it gently, you may hear a liquid gurgle inside—proof of a non-viable egg. Even if there is pipping which has not progressed, if you tap on the egg and hear no peep, it is clear that the embryo has died attempting to hatch. Such failed eggs should be removed from the nest, and the hen encouraged to leave and start caring for her chicks.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

I agree with Sally. I think the hen is more likely to abandon the eggs for the chicks, so if she's still sitting, she might know (or hear) something we don't. I'd give it another day. If you're worried about the chicks, just help mama up for a short time and see if she'll show them where the goodies are. Or you could teach them. I taught orphaned chicks with my finger as a beak.


Ah, I see you have been doing research. (your last post).

 

[Sallysec]

I understand that they all start together...I just think hens are better at deciding than us. At least I would trust your BO....roger???? I dunno about that...didn't she get muddy for treats while her baby was hatching lol?

 

[cheeka]

give it time, she will get up. she will recover her fitness, especially if she's on a diet now...those eggs might hatch tonight, remember those cold evenings at the beginning, could have slowed them down by a day. she'll do well at everything, she'll abandon the eggs if they're not going to hatch... such cool pics!

 

[cheeka]

the soft shelled egg. Blu already pecked a hole in it. the shell is like paper.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Okey doke here they finally are...
The one I really want to know is white cream here



And here



And this little grey laced one

Added because I just LOVE the sebrights




The one far right is the feathered footed lil one


3 silkies


grey baby again


the pair of rust and brown ones with the gray




feathered legs





Last week's mystery maran







More hatching bbs

 

[BullChick]

Quote: When you are incubating, you are playing Mother Nature. Even she can be cruel and make mistakes (Roger). The chick is out. Sally Sunshine said to get her out, and I did. It was fast and easy. She was ready.

Roger has two eggs left. One of hers was a "helper" egg that I removed. I held both of the other two eggs to the light and they are dark inside. But are we not getting past the deadline real soon for them to hatch? But big broody has one hatching right now so I am confused. I read one comment on the broody thread that said after 24 hours the eggs should be removed so the broody will focus on her chicks. Guess mine proved that wrong. I got eggs hatching three days apart

Leave em be for now. They were due Friday? Maybe tomorrow think about it again.

Okey doke here they finally are...
The one I really want to know is white cream here

Last week's mystery maran







More hatching bbs

Adorable!