Too Early for Feb Hatch-A-Long Thread??

[My hen house]

I know this sounds silly but when I first start hearing my chicks peep or seeing them pip should I talk to them to get them used to my voice so they think I'm their mother?

 

[juliasflock]

So I have one lone egg down from 3 that I put in a week after my others. It’s day 21, for this one. No pip and I haven’t seen egg wiggles or heard any peeps. However when I candled just now I heard tapping!

I wasn’t hopeful for this egg at all because the air cell looked too small. The egg itself is super dark, I could tell there was development at some point, but couldn’t see anything else. That’s why I thought it was a dud, and I was ready to eggtopsy.

Part of me wants to put a safety hole in the top, but part of me says leave it be. What would you guys do? I’m assuming the shell is really thick because it’s a new layer’s egg.

 

[FortCluck]

I know this sounds silly but when I first start hearing my chicks peep or seeing them pip should I talk to them to get them used to my voice so they think I'm their mother?

I talk to mine. Even if you talk to them before you hear them, they can still hear you. I've even put recordings of my chickens on for the chicks I'm probably talking like a crazy person

 

[FortCluck]

So I have one lone egg down from 3 that I put in a week after my others. It’s day 21, for this one. No pip and I haven’t seen egg wiggles or heard any peeps. However when I candled just now I heard tapping!

I wasn’t hopeful for this egg at all because the air cell looked too small. The egg itself is super dark, I could tell there was development at some point, but couldn’t see anything else. That’s why I thought it was a dud, and I was ready to eggtopsy.

Part of me wants to put a safety hole in the top, but part of me says leave it be. What would you guys do? I’m assuming the shell is really thick because it’s a new layer’s egg.
View attachment 2029442

I'd leave it until it's 24 hours after day 21. Try to let it do it's own thing. Some will say to do the safety hole, but I think there is sufficient air in the egg for the chick after it internally pips.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I feel like a bad person looking at your pics with the air cells traced I stopped doing it after my first hatch. I didn't even mark the date on the eggs this time because I put it in my phone.

You'll notice I traced them on the Salmon Favorelles and not the Silkies. Lol
Those eggs were super fresh but there were enough odd ones that I decided to monitor and see what they did. They were all perfect by lockdown. Even bubbles, the egg with a free floating blob thing is in lockdown so I'll be monitoring that hatch closely.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I talk to mine. Even if you talk to them before you hear them, they can still hear you. I've even put recordings of my chickens on for the chicks I'm probably talking like a crazy person

I talk to my eggs all the time. Not even sure I'm doing it because I think they're listening...so who's the crazy person now? Lol!

 

[smfarman]

That would be on the 19th. I just had my first hatch... so exciting! Only a few more days for you!

Thank you for your reply, sorry for the late reply my internet connection is terrible. I am very excited I can't wait

 

[CluckNDoodle]

So I have one lone egg down from 3 that I put in a week after my others. It’s day 21, for this one. No pip and I haven’t seen egg wiggles or heard any peeps. However when I candled just now I heard tapping!

I wasn’t hopeful for this egg at all because the air cell looked too small. The egg itself is super dark, I could tell there was development at some point, but couldn’t see anything else. That’s why I thought it was a dud, and I was ready to eggtopsy.

Part of me wants to put a safety hole in the top, but part of me says leave it be. What would you guys do? I’m assuming the shell is really thick because it’s a new layer’s egg.
View attachment 2029442

I'm with @FortCluck on this one. I wouldn't worry for several hours. I bet you'll see a pip soon!

 

[smfarman]

not me but I do have a nice Bright flash light that works well.... now when I was helping the FFA class the advisor went down to ace and picked up 5 cheap lights that were small so that the kids could get their hands around the light and the egg, it worked ok. even though the lights were not super bright. I would suggest fresh batteries.

It could be a couple of people, I have candler and can't see inside, the egg color is to dark so keeping fingers crossed for hatch day 2/22

 

[FortCluck]

I talk to my eggs all the time. Not even sure I'm doing it because I think they're listening...so who's the crazy person now? Lol! View attachment 2029446

When I candle I talk to them because I can get a closer look at them. They usually will go into the light and I can see their eye