Unsure how long these eggs will be good for?? and another ?

[Balboaroc]

I have a broody Golden Laced Wyandotte Hen. My Step-Uncle raises ring necks and sent me a few dozen partridge eggs to eat/incubate do whatever with. So on a whim my Step-Dad put a dozen eggs under her.

This is her first time being broody and from watching her she did the typical right thing (off the nest once a day, protective, etc). Friday was 21 days of her brooding the eggs. We had 2 hatches that day...1 successful, 1 a failed hatch (the bird was formed it just never made it out of the egg). Saturday proved another success and Sunday almost did but she stepped on it.

This leaves me with 8 eggs she is still sitting on. At what point should I assume these eggs are no good? We are on day 24 for these eggs.

I also hate to think there may only be 2 that she is brooding. I technically didn't really want partridges since I'm set up for chickens. I just planned on giving these to a friend who wants them. Can I get 5 regular chicks and put them under her? I have no doubt she would raise them ok. I just don't want them to kill the pheasants. Despite me not planning to keep them long term it would just seem wasteful if I knew right off the bat one would kill the other.

Amber

 

[Jmiller429]

the incubation period for pheasants is a little different from chickens. the incubation period is generally between 23 and 26 days. So if it were me, id wait at least a 4 days if not a week
PS those little buggers can fly in almost no time. IF you can get to the chicks and get them in a safe brooder, i would do so.

 

[kartking22]

Quote:
My pheasant eggs usually hatch anywhere from 23 to 28 days. The healthier chicks usually hatch first with the weaker ones hatching a little later. Watch for pipping also, a weaker chick may pip halfway around the shell and stop. Intevention to help the chick may be needed. Check the color of the soft membrane just under the shell. If it is white, give the chick a little more time. If it is turning a yellowish color, you may need to help the chick out of the shell. This is not a scientific method and should only be done if you suspect that the chick is in danger. I have saved many chicks with this method but also killed a few by helping them out too soon.
Pheasant chicks are very hard to incubate even with perfect incubator conditions.