Should I give up ?

[DTRM30]

Here's the question - to which I probably already know the answer to, but would just like another opinion.

The situation is this - I have a VERY broody silkie (no surprise there) and no roo's (too close to the neighbors) - and bought another hen (my kids love them and I have to admit, I'm getting addicted to them as well - such cute little buggers - but that's another story)
recently who was housed with a roo and laid 2 fertile eggs for the first few days after coming home.

- anyway - I'm not overly concerned about it hatching or not - we currently have enough chickens , but my son was so intrigued by this - we decided to place the fertile egg under the broody (she had only gone broody about 3 - 4 days prior). She's been sitting well, except for one day - day 8 to be exact. I found her off the egg(s) and sitting in another next box brooding where the other hens were laying (Yes, I know - they should be separate, but that's something I'll worry about another day) - the egg got fairly cool (didn't feel warm at all to the touch) - it was about 40 out - not sure how long she was off. I put her back on - figuring what the heck, we'll see what happens.

She's been good since then. Candled the day prior to her getting off accidentally (day 7) - and there is definately development in the one that was at day 8 - the other was around day 5 but I didn't see anything going on - probably just wasn't fertile at that point. Going to candle again this weekend to see where we're at (which would be day 13) -

I think it most likely died - but my son wants let it go longer (he's really got his hopes up despite my telling him it doesn't look good) -
what do you think ? Any experience in this area ? Just curious. I know I'll have the answer in a few days, but had to ask anyway ...

 

[SunnyDawn]

Leaving it a couple more days won't hurt but once you candle if you don't see development better toss them or the eggs could ferment and explode.
Good luck!

 

[PhilErvin]

If the hen has abandoned it I would guess it is finished.

I would encourage you to purchase an incubator and some fertile eggs and incubate these for your son's sake. This will be a priceless experience that he will cherish all his life. I did it when my son was 16. He is a big kid who has been in trouble and grew up too fast. The incubating thing was the coolest thing he had ever seen and he is really into the chickens now.

 

[DTRM30]

Yeah, that's what I'll probably end up doing, he'll be soooo disappointed.

More just curious if anyone had had an egg get chilled but still be OK (though I know it would definately push the hatch date to be late). His optomistic attitude has worn off on me

Thanks though

Once some of the other hens are gone, we'll have chicks again - we started all but a few from day olds - it's addicting ! Original plan was for 6 - but ended up with 15. I'd love to try hatching my own next time around.

 

[DTRM30]

She hasn't abandoned it - not yet anyway. I think what probably happend was that she got off to eat - and when she went back another hen was in there (she picked the favorite box to be broody in) - and apparently decided to sit on the eggs in one of the other boxes. I put her back on the correct eggs and she hasn't moved since. (a very nice broody - she just purrs at you when you bother her though she's kept the other hens away fairly well - I try to be sure I keep food and water near her so she doesn't need to go far reducing the risk of the others getting involved).

I'd LOVE to get an incubator - but DH would literally KILL me. We have 4 parakeets, 2 cockatiels, a dog, some pond fish in a tank in the house b/c the pond had to go (long story) - and the chickens LOL

There is a simple solution though - I just need to sell my house and move to a farm.

Good thing is that our local high school doubles as the state agricultural school - and they raise chickens, pigs, horses, vegetables, etc with the 4H - you name it - so he'll still get to see / experience that even if not technically in the vo-ag program. From what I'm aware, they invite the "regular" students in to see their handy work at farming.

 

[DTRM30]

Oh, I forgot to mention - we did hatch parakeets (well, mommy parakeet did) - that was interesting - talk about little eggs and tiny babies !